A LIFESAVING homeless charity served up Christmas lunch for more than 100 people, joined by the mayor of Southend and Anna Firth MP.

St Vincent de Paul’s Centre in Victoria Business Park, Short Street, Southend, welcomed vulnerable people for an afternoon of food, music, and support.

Southend West MP Anna Firth was on hand to help serve up food to vulnerable people who attended the event. 
Echo: Gary Ellis and Justin Stone have been supported by St Vincent's.Gary Ellis and Justin Stone have been supported by St Vincent's. (Image: Ben Shahrabi)

 

Gary Ellis, 62, of Bournemouth Park Road, Southend, said: “The cost-of-living crisis has smashed everyone to pieces. I can’t afford to pay for Christmas dinner, so I wouldn’t be having one this year otherwise.

“A lot of people think we’ve gone back to Dickensian times. Without this service, I don’t know what would happen to these people. It’s quite scary.”

Another guest added: “They keep people alive. If it wasn’t for this place, I would be dead, I guarantee you.”

Southend mayor Stephen Habermel gave a speech, in which he praised St Vincent’s for “embodying the spirit of the community.”

He said: “Your presence today shows your commitment to making a positive impact on people in Southend.”

Mr Habermel thanked centre manager Daniel Cauchi and the St Vincent’s team for their “unwavering contribution to the wellbeing of our community.”

 

Echo: Guests shared stories about their experiences over Christmas dinner.Guests shared stories about their experiences over Christmas dinner. (Image: Ben Shahrabi)

 

He said: “I’ve been blown away by the support and the amount of goodwill in Southend, especially at this time of year.”

“When you become mayor, you get the chance to step out of the council chamber and go into the community. It quickly becomes apparent how much we rely on charities and volunteers. We’ve got a terrific network in Southend.”

 

Echo: Helping hands - Centre officer Nesper Maregedze, centre manager Daniel Cauchi and volunteer Matthew Fright.Helping hands - Centre officer Nesper Maregedze, centre manager Daniel Cauchi and volunteer Matthew Fright. (Image: Ben Shahrabi)

Southend West MP Anna Firth said: “St Vincent’s is just the most amazing charity. They bring the community together, do work to get people into jobs. That’s the thing that impresses me the most.  The success stories are just spectacular. They work on mental health, in schools, they just do everything.

“It’s Christmas and there always going to be those people who need a helping hand.”

Echo: Making merry - centre volunteers served more than a hundred homeless or vulnerable people.Making merry - centre volunteers served more than a hundred homeless or vulnerable people. (Image: Ben Shahrabi)

Daniel described the reaction from the guests as “so heartwarming”.

He said: “We’ve spent three years working with them. Our approach is person-centred, so we build deep relationships. These are real people who need a hand up.”