A Rothbury butcher is spending his third Christmas Day in a row with more than 150 homeless people.
When Morris Adamson isn’t working behind the counter at Rothbury Family Butchers he is one of the 200 unpaid volunteers at Newcastle’s People’s Kitchen who provide seven weekly food sessions adding up to 40,000 hot meals per year.
Morris joined the charity two years ago and is now Deputy Team Leader with the Monday night Outreach Team. Two days a week, the outreach teams take up position in their established locations in Newcastle to serve food to those who would rather not eat inside the Kitchen itself. Mobile catering vans and trained volunteer staff ensure that everything goes to plan and that the welfare of the Kitchen’s “friends” is paramount. His role is helping to supervise the serving of food to those in need on the streets of Newcastle, a position he gets a great deal of personal satisfaction from.
“ My first shift on the streets was -5 degrees and as I looked at all the people queueing up in the cold for their food with nowhere else to go, I realised how lucky most people are. I’ve never complained about the cold since.”
Morris completes a 60 mile round trip every shift no matter what the weather as he knows that people less fortunate than himself are relying on him and the other volunteers.
“As I’m driving home I get to reflect on how lucky I am to have a roof over my head and food to eat. The “Friends” I meet every Monday make the the whole thing worth while , listening to their stories and seeing how they are doing each week humbles me. Being in a postion to help them with providing food, clothing and friendship is something I will always be greatful for.”
As part of his volunteering, Morris does talks in schools, churches and Womens Institute meetings to talk about the Peoples Kitchen and the essential work they do.
“I’m volunteering on Christmas Day and I’m really looking forward to it. Like my other volunteer colleagues I feel privileged to be able to help all year around but especially at this special time,” he said.
Established in 2000 and having won Regional, National and International awards, Rothbury Family Butchers are regarded as one of Britain’s best butchers and one of the countries top sausage producers.
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Photo shows: Morris on Outreach duty (Highlights PR)
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The People’s Kitchen are also asking people to pledge £5 for the cost of a winter meal via their website www.peopleskitchen.co.uk/feed-a-friend