Rugby Star Martin Offiah Opens Drop-in For Homeless in Ealing

Ealing Soup Kitchen hub provides food, shelter and company

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Clare Beckett at evening drop-in Ealing soup kitchen

Volunteer, Clare Beckett, cooking for Ealing Soup Kitchen evening drop-in

Evening hub Ealing Soup Kitchen

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Rugby legend and local resident, Martin Offiah, was guest of honour at the opening of Ealing's new drop-in evening hub for the homeless.

The former league player - nicknamed 'Chariots Offiah' due to his speed on the field - cut the ribbon and welcomed guests at Ealing Soup Kitchen last night (Monday (9th May).

Martin Offiah cuts ribbon for homeless drop-in

He stepped in to help out at the last minute after organisers sent an SOS out to the community to help find a 'celebrity' for the official opening.

He told us: ''I live in Ealing and this is a great thing to support. It's a really worthwhile cause and fortunately I was free to make it tonight. I think it's important to help where you can and I'm really happy to do my bit, this is a great venture.''

Based at the Salvation Army on Leeland Road in West Ealing it will run every Monday night (between 7-9pm) and volunteers will provide a hot meal and company.


Andrew Mcleay and Martin Offiah

Ealing Churches worker, Andrew Mcleay, said they already run a daytime hub (on Fridays at St John's church) and wanted something more to help the isolation that many homeless people face in the evenings.

He said: '' I'd really like this to be a place where everyone feels safe, but am also hoping it may help cut down on crime in the area. I hear about the problems in Dean Gardens and think many hang around there because there's just no where else to go. If they have somewhere - at least on one evening - it might put them in a nice mood, give them something to do and put a smile on their face for a while, that's got to be worthwhile.''

Chair of the charity, John Carter, says '' The homeless are vulnerable in the evening, they go to parks and shopping centres and can be targetted by bad people. Even though we can't do this drop-in every evening, just one day a week helps to normalise things and make them feel they are part of a community, that gives them the inner spirit to keep going on the other days.''


Left Graham Brabon and Right Daniel Narayn

I spoke to Daniel Narayan who knows only too well what it's like to be out on on the streets. He's battled addiction and debt problems and told me that sleeping rough brought cold, instability and fear, but it was the attitude of other people that often hurt the most.

He said: '' I'd just urge everyone to show a bit of compassion. Just because you're on the streets doesn't make you a bad person. Nobody really chooses to be in that position.

'' It's not just about throwing money in a pot. By all means do that, but try and also show a bit of kindness, have a chat with the person sat in the shop doorway. We're all human, but on the streets you can feel invisible, and that's really hard.''

Last night around 60 people turned out to the successful launch of the evening hub.

It's been initially funded by the People's Postcode Lottery but the charity is hoping local businesses will support to allow it to continue once the grant has run out.

If you or your business can help please contact Ealing Soup Kitchen here

 

10th May 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

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