Local bus operator First Leicester are providing 300 Christmas meals to Help the Homeless in Leicester

Local bus operator First Leicester will once again be supporting a local charity this Christmas. Help the Homeless Leicester provide valuable support throughout the year for many people who may have fallen on hard times. Rough sleepers, sofa surfers, people in temporary accommodation along with people who are experiencing mental health issues, multiple needs and sadly people who have experienced domestic violence all seek help and support from ‘Help the Homeless Leicester’.

First Leicester will be providing 300 Christmas meals that will be distributed by the charity to those in need. In addition, on the lead up to Christmas eve, the bus operator will have Santa and his elf’s boarding buses randomly to give out chocolate Santa lollies and Christmas cards that will have a Christmas message inside and some lucky recipients may find Free bus travel, or a Shopping voucher code inside the card.

Rob Hughes, Operations Director at First Leicester said,

” We have all experienced another challenging year and it is anticipated that the cost-of-living crisis will continue well into 2023.

“We wanted to spread a little Christmas cheer once again this year on the lead up to the festive season, thanking our customers for travelling with us, and to support one of our local charities that provides support for the Homeless, people with mental health and multiple needs.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that has travelled with us over the last year and wish you and your families a peaceful and prosperous new year for 2023””.

Vanessa Ghelani, Services Manager at Help the Homeless Leicester said.

"Help The Homeless Leicester is extremely grateful for this very generous gift from First Leicester.  Homelessness is a year-round problem, but its effects can be at their worst when the cold weather arrives.  The people we support often find Christmas a difficult time and this year is likely to be harder than usual, due to the cost-of-living crisis.  First Leicester's generosity will allow us to provide more help for people in need, including those in temporary accommodation and people whom we have helped to move on from homelessness into secure accommodation. We provide ongoing support to these service users from Help the Homeless Leicester, and the support we are receiving from First Leicester is very much appreciated.  It will help us to make this season brighter for people for whom winter can be a very hard time.”