A bunch of good neighbours put themselves out to invite homeless people on the streets of London’s deprived East End to come in for a slap-up Christmas meal.
Zeenat Baig and her neighbours in Old Ford Road, Bow, decided to spread the seasonal goodwill to anyone without shelter, family or feeling just lonely.
They hired the nearby Francis Lee community hall at Clare House in Hawthorn Avenue, off the Roman Road, donated food and set about their mission.
They sent invitations to the Salvation Army hostel in Whitechapel and Provident Row’s Dellow shelter in Spitalfields for anyone to join them.
It brought a cheer yesterday to those down on their luck to get a taste of seasonal goodwill.
“We decided to do something for people spending Christmas alone,” Zeenag told the East London Advertiser.
“It is specially difficult for the homeless, but our party was also for pensioners who may be spending Christmas alone.
“The idea is that we all get to know one-another so we can say ‘hi’ if we see each other in the street.”
The aim of the ‘good neighbours’ was to let people in the community know they care and want to do something to bring everyone together.
It’s the sort of goodwill message this time of year that reaffirms belief in the East End’s traditional sense of community.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here