A PLEA has gone out to local residents and businesses to help someone who is facing a bleak Christmas.

The Thurrock-based Friends of Essex and London Homeless (FOELH) charity is asking people if they could spare a small amount to sponsor a Christmas dinner for a homeless person.

The charity is hoping to offer more than 200 dinners to people it helps at soup kitchens in London and Grays in the run-up to the festive season.

The charity's founder, Steven Stuart, says: "For many of us, Christmas means family, presents, laughter and a table full of food. But for those facing homelessness, poverty and hardship, Christmas can be a very different story.

"This December, Team FOELH is aiming to serve 230 freshly prepared Christmas dinners across our two outreaches:

• Wednesday 16 December – Charing Cross, London
• Friday 18th December – Grays.

"For some, this could be the only Christmas dinner they receive.

"Just £4.50 sponsors one Christmas dinner

• £4.50 = 1 dinner
• £9 = 2 dinners
• £22.50 = 5 dinners
• £45 = 10 dinners

"That's all we're asking our wonderful community to help us raise.

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"As a completely volunteer-run, non-funded charity celebrating ten years of helping those in need, we know just how much a warm meal and a little kindness can mean."

Supporters can contribute via PayPal:

https://paypal.me/teamfoelh

or via Bank Transfer:

Friends of Essex & London Homeless (Reference: CHRISTMAS DINNER)

Sort Code: 20-25-19

Account: 70980129