TV star visits town to help the needy

‘THE Apprentice’ star James White helped serve-up meals to those in need at a popular Nuneaton food kitchen.

He was welcomed into the team of volunteers at the Muslim Community Relations - Nuneaton (MCR-N)’s weekly Food Kitchen.

The co-winner of the popular BBC1 programme was invited along to the weekly dropin at the Edward Street Community Centre.

Being based in nearby Birmingham and having had experience in soup kitchens before, the MCR-N team invited the businessman along to help out for the night.

“It was really nice for the team and me to have a chance to come along here to help,” he said.

“We’ve been able to provide food for over thirty-five people, many of whom hadn’t had anything else to eat all day.

“We all lead very busy lives but to be able to spend some of our time to make someone else happy is an opportunity not to be missed.

“It’s great to be able to give something back.”

He rolled up his sleeves and got stuck in, serving meals and meeting and chatting with guests: “We’re from Birmingham and last Christmas I and some of my staff had the opportunity to help out at a Soup Kitchen in Digbeth, serving Christmas lunch,” he explained.

“Just like today it was a great experience and what I love is that we get to meet some really interesting people; they’ve all got their stories to tell and it’s great to be able to sit down and chat with them.

“Just because they are homeless or financially not as well off as others doesn’t mean they have no value to society.”

The MCR-N Food Kitchen runs every Tuesday evening at the Edward Street Community Centre, with a dedicated group of volunteers serving hot food and drink to the homeless, as well as the needy or those from vulnerable backgrounds.

Freshly cooked hot food is provided by another local charitable organisation, Khair in the Community, who run QwikCurry, a project to provide affordable meals to the local community, every Tuesday afternoon.

“It’s great what MCR-N and other groups like them are doing to help the homeless and needy” said James.

“There’re so many people in need across the country, at a time when we’ve just been through one of the worst winters. Lots of people are doing great work but more needs to be done.”

Yasin Zackaria, food kitchen organiser, said: “We were delighted to welcome James and his team to help out at our Food Kitchen.

“It just goes to show that even the busiest of people are willing to come along and help out.

“I’m sure they agree with us that having the chance to help the homeless and needy is a very inspiring and rewarding experience.”

Such was his time at the food kitchen, the recruitment firm owner hinted it may not be his last trip to Nuneaton , saying: It’s been a great experience.

“My guys and I have had a great time, and we certainly hope to come again.”