The People’s Kitchen has thanked the kind hearted people of Tyneside and beyond for getting behind their Christmas campaign.
Celebrity chef, Si King patron of The People’s Kitchen launched the charity’s #foodforthought campaign in November to encourage people to bake a cake to sell and raise funds during the run up to Christmas. As part of that campaign, a generous Tyneside business man has made a massive difference for the third year running.
Chris Tubman who runs NEOffers.co.uk understands that Christmas can be a very stressful time for everyone but more so for anyone who is unfortunate enough to be homeless during the festive period. The People’s Kitchen have been feeding the homeless and vulnerable of Newcastle for 30 years, six days a week and the charity is run entirely by volunteers, no government funding is received and no one is paid for their work.
On Christmas Day, The Kitchen provided a full three course meal to more than 200 vulnerable people and Chris asked his kind-hearted customers to pledge £5 for the cost of a meal with all proceeds going to The People’s Kitchen. The final total for NEoffers.co.uk has just been announced as a staggering £68,325.
Chris was delighted by the generousity of his customers.
“I’m absolutely blown away by the support of thousands of local heroes who have donated via NEOffers.co.ukto this great cause. It’s been mind blowing every day seeing the total rise to unprecedented levels. It was only two years ago when we hoped to raise £500 to feed an extra 100 people in need. The campaign in its first year went viral raising £6,500 which was only beaten by last year’s total of £8,005, which was raised with the generosity and support of the north-east community.
“Now however, raising more than £68,000 is terrific and while it’s been ridiculously hard work this month, seeing the total raised and witnessing at first hand the good that the money provides, I couldn’t be prouder.”
Money is still coming in from the #foodforthought campaign which was devised by Newcastle creative communications company, The Roundhouse who have given time to create, design and execute the campaign across film, print, digital and social media as part of their charitable donation.
David Yellowley, a Trustee of The People’s Kitchen was overwhelmed by the success of the campaign.
“Chris is a very important part of our Food for Thought campaign and it’s unbelieveable just how much that part of our Christmas fundraising has brought into The Kitchen. People have been donating the cost of a meal andbaking and selling cakes all across the region. We are very grateful to everyone for their donations and especially the work that Chris does fundraising on our behalf.
“Life on the streets is getting tougher and demand for our services is getting higher. These donations will give us a good head start for 2018 and every penny will be used for the benefit of others.”