How homeless were warmed by good food and company
CHRISTMAS CHEER OFFERED BY GROUPS AND CHARITIES
HOMELESS people across Leicester were welcomed by charitable groups to enjoy Christmas with hot food, warm company and gifts of essentials.
The vulnerable and needy were able to escape the winter cold for a day as restaurants and charities across the city came together to help those living on the streets.
Benji Tuitt and Stacey Wragg were among those who dedicated their Christmas Day to hosting a space for the homeless, which included a full roast dinner, pudding, gifts and a gospel choir.
The event was held in the courtyard at the LCB Depot, in Rutland Street, and was catered to feed more than 100 homeless people from 1pm. The menu included a big plate of turkey, roast potatoes, gravy, parsnips, Brussels sprouts, carrots and stuffing.
Benji is the owner of Caribbean food service Aunt Sals and has been helping the homeless for the past four years. He has also held afternoon tea events for the vulnerable throughout lockdown.
The 43-year-old said his journey began from working in the food industry and witnessing the high amount of waste.
Before the event, he said: “I’m hoping to feed as many as possible, we have the capacity to feed more than a 100 so it’s whoever turns up.
“I’m planning on delivering more food in the evening to vulnerable people isolating, from the turkeys that have been donated, so hopefully I can make their Christmas a little better.”
Stacey, from New Parks, said she followed the journey of Benji’s food business throughout lockdown and wanted to get involved.
She said: “Benji and I both know what it’s like to have a difficult start in life. Some times things are circumstantial and people can’t always help the situations they end up in. It’s been a bit of a difficult journey for both of us to where we are today so it’s a very important thing for us to be able to give back.”
The pair started a crowdfunding page to fund the project and raised £970 for food costs, gifts and decorations.
Stacey, a director of a corporate social responsibility company, added: “I’ve always wanted to do something like this at Christmas, so when the opportunity came along it felt perfect.”
Serena McKinnon, 37, was among the many who attended the event, with her boyfriend Michael, who both live on the streets of the city centre.
She said: “I’m from Lancaster originally. I came to Leicester when I was 21 with my ex-boyfriend. He led me to drugs and alcohol and my life went downhill. I’ve been on the streets ever since.”
The former fitness instructor added: “I’m clean from drugs but I’m still drinking. Life can be nice sometimes and sometimes it’s horrible – when it’s horrible, like it is now, we just feel worthless.”
Another attendee, Paul, said he had been on the streets for five years before the city council put a roof over his head.
The 55-year-old said: “I’m from Margate originally. I can’t tell you how I got here but what I can say is the system is flawed.
“I have a roof over my head now but coronavirus has made things feel like a losing battle these last 18 months. Even though things are better, Christmas feels like it has gone downhill this year for me.”
One man, who asked to remain anonymous, said he has recently been provided shelter by charity, Help the Homeless.
He said: “I was 21 when I lost my wife to leukaemia. I’ve been on the streets for the 15 years since. Then I got on to cocaine and alcohol.
“You don’t wake up one day and think you’re going to become a drunkard. Things just happen sometimes and you end up in a bad place. But groups like this that come together and put roofs over people’s heads are amazing.”
Another man, who sleeps outside Leicester Central Church in University Road, said he had been on the streets for eight months after having a family fall-out.
He said: “I had my own place and a job working through the pandemic as a delivery driver. At the moment my circumstances are bad but today I’ve got some warm food, dry clothes and hopefully I can try get into a hostel soon.”
Another specially-cooked festive dinner was held for the homeless at local charity, The Bridge Homelessness to Hope.
Ian Bremner, chef lecturer at Leicester College, his family and colleagues and staff from the charity cooked and served Christmas dinner for 50 guests.
They also received presents from charity supporters, including Amazon and church groups.
Operations manager David Fawcett said: “We’re delighted Ian and his family are so kindly offering their time and culinary skills to help some of the city’s most vulnerable people at this particularly challenging time of the year for the homeless community.”