LNER hosts Christmas Eve dinner for Newcastle homeless

Volunteers from Newcastle station worked with the charity to put on a Christmas dinner on the station concourse. Attendees were treated to live music and a local barber provided free haircuts.

Ahead of the Christmas meal, the team were also busy fundraising and were delighted to collect £1129.94 from people passing through Central Station.

David Keech, Customer Experience Manager at LNER, said: “Throughout the year but particularly during the holiday season, there really shouldn’t be anyone having to spend the night on the street. We were therefore keen to try and help, even in just a small way by providing a hot meal to those who may otherwise have gone without.

“The Christmas lunch was fantastic and we’re delighted that so many people joined us at the station. I’d like to say a massive thank you to all the volunteers who helped put on the event and all the members of the general public who donated.

Brian Burridge, Founder of North East Homeless, said: “Last year we held our Christmas Eve lunch outside on the streets, this year we wanted to be inside, and with tables and chairs, crackers and somewhere that felt warm and friendly, I then thought it needed to be somewhere iconic, where we would feel welcome.

“I then thought, Central Station in Newcastle, we couldn’t have picked a better venue, the staff were all so accommodating, they couldn’t have supported us any better”