It was a case of “Clear White Light” to shining Christmas Lights as Tyneside music legends Ray Laidlaw and Billy Mitchell formerly of Lindisfarne switched on the festive lights at Newcastle’s most special Christmas Party.
The People’s Kitchen supports hundreds of “friends” across the city every day. Unpaid volunteers have helped people in Newcastle for more than 35 years serving up to 200 meals every session, cooking everything from scratch. The charity is run entirely by volunteers, no government funding is received, and no one is paid for their work. The annual Christmas party is a way to bring a sense of normality to the homeless and vulnerable of the City and surrounding areas.
As well as street food from Pimp my Pig and Meat Stack, there were musical performances from the Sisters of Harmony Choir and the Northern Monkey Brass Band while Santa Claus gave out presents donated by the Mother’s Union to everyone who attended.
The High Sheriff of Tyne and Wear David Bavaird and the Mayor of Gateshead Councillor Dot Burnett also attended and chatted to friends and volunteers about their experiences at The Kitchen. Other invited guests included long standing supporters of the charity and business representatives including Karen Goldfinch, Chair of the North Tyneside Business Forum.
People’s Kitchen Trustee Maggie Pavlou said:
“We are very grateful for all of the help that everyone has put into tonight to make it a success for our friends. We’d like to thank all of the performers for entertaining us, Billy, and Ray for taking time out to switch on our lights, everyone who gave presents and the food vendors for donating their time and food for the benefit of others.
” I’d also like to personally thank all of our volunteers and fellow trustees who all give up their time for free not just at Christmas but all year round. Our charity has been around for more than 35 years now, and the amount of time given by the thousands of our volunteers during that period is immense. We also rely on donations from the public, businesses, and community groups and without their help our role would be so much more difficult.
“Currently, we are running our annual “Feed a Friend for a Fiver” campaign. This asks the kind-hearted North East public to donate £5 to provide a free hot Christmas dinner to someone less fortunate than themselves, on Christmas Day. It will also help fund many more meals throughout the cold winter. Anyone wishing to donate can do so at http://www.justgiving.com/campaign/PeoplesKitchen-Feed-A-Friend-For-A-Fiver”
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Photos: Billy Mitchell and Ray Laidlaw with Karen Goldfinch, chair of North Tyneside Business Forum
Credit Highlights PR
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