Soup kitchen organisers plan Christmas party for homeless...

A Christmas party is planned for the homeless in Coventry this weekend.

Food, presents and live entertainment will all be on offer under the ring road, near Millennium Place, on Sunday to bring festive cheer to those living on the breadline.

The event is being organised by the volunteers behind Coventry’s weekly soup kitchen there and could even include a visit from Santa Claus.

Organiser Kervin Julien said: “We want to make this a bit special and give people the Christmas they probably wouldn’t otherwise get.

“Most of those we’re going to be supporting won’t have families or people to share this time with, so we’re going to be their family for the day.

“It’s an opportunity to give them a memory that no-one can take away.”

As well as the festive food offering, there will be live entertainment including a DJ, acoustic guitarist and gospel choirs.

Gifts have been donated by Tiny Teddies Nursery, Jaguar Land Rover and Sainsbury’s as well as being bought with money donated to Anesis, which is organising the event.

Staff at Tata Technology, based at Coventry University, and Jaguar Land Rover both donated food and clothes as well as volunteering to help serve food.

Cardinal Wiseman School has donated a van full of food for the homeless, while Cardinal Newman School donated 20 food hampers.

Charlie’s Supermarket in Hillfields has handed over fruit for vulnerable elderly people in the city and Brakes caterers at Cross Point Business Park, Walsgrave, donated 20 pallets of food for the party.

The Challenge community project, which works with 15 to 16-year-olds, held a sponsored Big Sleep Out and raised £350 for food and gifts.

Last year Anesis held a similar event indoors at Northpoint Church in Bell Green and saw vulnerable people bussed in from all across Coventry.

Food parcels and gifts have been delivered to struggling families who cannot get along to the city centre event.

“We have so many presents to give out and we just want to make it a joyful day,” Kervin added.

“We decided that because there are a few different organisations that are doing things like this over Christmas, we didn’t want to step on any toes.

“So we thought we’d hold a street party and we’re trying to give out as many presents as we can to children and families who won’t be able to afford much this year. We want to make Christmas special for them.” The street party will take place from 2.30pm to 4.30pm on Sunday.

Coventry's homeless mark Christmas at party



HUNDREDS of homeless people turned out to celebrate Christmas at an event in Coventry on Sunday.

Volunteers from schools, businesses and other organisations manned tables handing out gifts, food, drink and festive cheer at an event organised by the people behind Coventry’s weekly soup kitchen.

Santa was even on hand to give out presents to youngsters.

By the time the event started a long queue was snaking out from under the ring road, near Millennium Place.

Organiser Kervin Julian said one of the aims was to let the homeless people of Coventry know that people do care about them.

“We’ve came in three big vans and we had so much stuff we’ve still had to leave some behind,” he said.

“We want to spread some of that Christmas atmosphere. We want to show people that they matter to us.

“This is their Christmas and we are their family.

“We’ve had so much help from different organisations – Jaguar Land Rover, Tata Technologies, even pupils from Cardinal Wiseman School.”

One woman, who didn’t want to be named, helped out with volunteers before joining her family in the queue for food.

“I wanted to help out,” she said. “I’ve been in the same situation as many of these people.

“I’ve been left on the streets but I’ve picked myself up so it’s nice to come here, say thanks, and give a little bit back.”

Sarah, from Bell Green, said: “It helps. It’s not easy but this and some of the other events in the city really help.

“People give their time up. They don’t have to be here on a Sunday but they are.

“We get a hot drink and something to eat. At this time of year it’s priceless.”

As well as the festive food there was a DJ, acoustic guitarist and gospel choirs.

Gifts were donated by Tiny Teddies Nursery, Jaguar Land Rover and Sainsbury’s as well as being bought with money donated to Anesis, which organised the event.

Staff at Tata Technology and Jaguar Land Rover donated food and clothes and volunteered on the day.

Cardinal Wiseman School has donated a van full of food for the homeless, while Cardinal Newman School donated 20 food hampers.

Food parcels and gifts have been delivered to struggling families who cannot get along to the city centre event. Steve Lapworth, from Anesis, said: “Some people just can’t believe we’re doing this. But we just want to help at this time of year.”