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Chronicle Live
Chronicle Live
National
Owen Younger

Former members of Newcastle band Lindisfarne turn on Christmas lights at The People's Kitchen

Two former members of Newcastle band Lindisfarne were the guests of honour, as they turned on the Christmas lights at The People's Kitchen.

A crowd of volunteers and friends of the charity watched as Ray Laidlaw and Billy Mitchell marked the beginning of the festive period at the city's food bank.

The two musicians have just finished touring their show, The Lindisfarne Story around the UK and the final night of the tour in North Shields raised £6,000 for The People's Kitchen.

Read more: The People's Kitchen to give advent calendar treats to Newcastle's most vulnerable

Ray and Billy went on to talk about how they got involved with The People's Kitchen and the importance of the work that they do.

"We have both known Keith Newman, who does PR for The People's Kitchen, for quite a while and we became involved with the group 5 years ago.

The Christmas lights at The People's Kitchen (Owen Younger)

"One of our songs, that we perform in the show, 'Winter Song' is about the less fortunate and people that are struggling at this time of year.

"This led to us dedicating the profits from our show in North Shields to The People's Kitchen in order to help these people.

"These types of organisations should not be needed in this day and age but it feels like they are now more than ever. It is up to people like us who can afford to help to do just that", they said.

This goes alongside the other ways that The People's Kitchen are getting donations over the festive period.

One of these is that they are asking for local businesses to donate £200 to give people advent calendar treats every day in December up until Christmas Eve.

The concept is that every day of advent, the Friends who use The People's Kitchen facilities will leave with a hearty meal inside them but also a small 'sweet treat' paid for by these local businesses.

They have also recently launched their "Feed a Friend for a Fiver" campaign which encourages people to donate five pounds to provide a free hot Christmas dinner to someone less fortunate.

It is clear to see through all of these events and campaigns that The People's Kitchen continued to do essential work to help the people in our community that need it most whilst also filling people with the Christmas spirit through their fabulous lights.

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