Birmingham New Street’s Christmas Eve meal returns as take-away for 2020

Thursday 3 Dec 2020

Birmingham New Street’s Christmas Eve meal returns as take-away for 2020

Region & Route:: North West & Central; | North West & Central: Central

Birmingham New Street’s highly successful Christmas Eve meal for the city’s homeless is returning this year – but with a difference.

For the third year running Network Rail is teaming up with award-winning charity Midland Langar Seva Society (MLSS) to provide hot food and festive cheer for those who are struggling in the city centre this Christmas.

Since 2018, 550 people have enjoyed a three-course sit down meal and party on Birmingham New Street’s concourse.

However, holding an indoor event is not possible this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Network Rail and MLSS were determined for 2020 not to be missed, so today (3 December) the alternative plans to provide 250 take-away meals and gifts are being revealed.

Patrick Power, Birmingham New Street station manager, said: “We know holding the Christmas Eve meal for those who need help in the city centre is a highlight for them so the station team and MLSS have pulled out the stops to make sure Covid doesn’t cancel Christmas this year.

“Because of social distancing we can’t hold the meal inside in the warm as we would like, so we’ve had to think about how to do things in a different way. We’re sure we’ll be back inside for Christmas 2021 even bigger and better than before.”

The food and gifts will be given out on the Eastern plaza between 5pm and 7pm on Thursday December 24.

A queuing system will be set up to ensure people keep at a safe distance from one another to help stop the spread of coronavirus.

Volunteers from Network Rail, the rail industry and Midland Langar Seva Society will work throughout the evening to cater for up to 250 people.

This year’s Christmas Eve meal is being sponsored by Quinn Infrastructure services.

Randhir Singh, Midland Langar Seva Society co-founder, said: “Our homeless Christmas meal has been special for our service users for over seven years, with a sit down three-course meal at the Birmingham New Street station for the last two - it has been a highlight for them. Every year they look forward to it and for many months they have been asking whether the party is still going ahead due to the pandemic.

“This year will be different due to the social distancing restrictions, however we will still make it special for them by spoiling them with presents, if they are lucky, they will get a chance to have a photo with Santa.”

Neil Shearwood, managing director from Quinn Infrastructure Services, said: “We are delighted to play our part in the ‘Christmas Eve Meal for the Homeless’ for a second year now. This year, more importantly, as so many charities have really felt the effect of covid-19 on contributions.

“We hope this can bring some Christmas cheer to those who need it most and support our client Network Rail in this fantastic effort.”

Any journalists wishing to cover the Christmas Eve meal must contact Network Rail media manager Chris Halpin on 0330 854 0100 or chris.halpin@networkrail.co.uk by no later than 3.00pm on Wednesday 23 December, as spaces for media will be limited.

Notes to Editors

Midland Langar Seva Society is a charity based on the Sikh principle of ‘dasvand’, which involves giving 10% of your time and earnings to help those less fortunate.

This Christmas Eve meal aims to represent the principle of equality among all people regardless of religion, caste, colour, creed, age, gender, sexuality or social status.

In addition to the ideals of equality, the tradition of Langar (free meal) expresses the ethics of sharing, community, inclusiveness, and the oneness of humankind.

This year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, MLSS teams have been extremely busy from the first lockdown in March when there was a food crisis and the stores were empty.

MLSS is now serving more than 42,000 hot meals a week to the homeless in more than 30 places in the UK and internationally.

During the pandemic, as well as its usual homeless feeds, the charity has been offering food parcel drop offs to the elderly and vulnerable who are isolating, as well as schools in deprived areas.

500 volunteers buy and prepare food nearly every night of the year, while encouraging the public to volunteer and donate food and kitchen equipment.

As well as food, MLSS also hand out clothes, toiletries, sleeping bags, blankets, hats, and gloves to people on the streets.

Contact information

Passengers / community members
Network Rail national helpline
03457 11 41 41

Latest travel advice
Please visit National Rail Enquiries

Journalists
Network Rail press office - North West & Central Region
07740 782954
NWCmediarelations@networkrail.co.uk

About Network Rail

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