A TOP Southend hotel has ensured 1,000 hot meals will be dished up to those in need this Christmas.

Staff at the Roslin Beach Hotel, in Thorpe Bay, were determined to help when they saw Harp’s appeal in the Echo for 1,000 people to donate £10 to buy a Christmas meal for vulnerable and homeless people in Southend.

The hotel owners decided to donate enough meat for all the meals the homeless charity hopes to provide.

The meat, which will come from the hotel’s own farm in Hampshire, includes 75 kilos of turkey, 75 kilos of braising steak, 25 kilos of salt beef and ten lamb shoulders.

Gary Turner, Harp’s service operations manager, said: “This offer of meat from the Roslin Hotel is wonderful news. The timing is absolutely perfect for us. We are providing 1,000 meals over a 12-day period and at least 300 of those meals will be served between tomorrow and Christmas Day.

“This gesture goes right to the core of the success of the festivities we will now be able to provide.

“However, our work doesn’t stop at Christmas with just providing welcoming support from people who really care with nutritious hot meals over the festive period including a full Christmas meal.

“There is the opportunity for people to shower and change clothes, get a health check or a flu jab from our nurse and GP.

Our experienced staff are on hand to give expert advice on fundamental issues like housing, debt and employment as well as a taster to Harp’s year-round services for training and support for a new beginning.”

Jackie Harris, managing director of the Roslin Beach Hotel, said: “We are delighted we can help Harp with all their valuable and fantastic work. The meat is all from the farm that supplies our hotel.

“We are proud to be able to work with a charity in the local community. It’s our way of giving back something to the community that helps to support us.

We’re helping to store the meat until it is needed and our master butcher will help to prepare the meat the way the charity requires it.”

Harp’s work will continue after the festive season and the charity is keen to encourage people to give vital support.

To make a £10 donation, visit harpsouthend.org.uk or text HOME43 followed by £10, to 70070, or send a cheque made payable toHarp Ltd, to: Harp, 4th Floor, Dencora Court, Tylers Avenue, Southend, SS1 2BB.