Media centre

Friday 11 Dec 2020

Christmas food bank appeal launches at Birmingham New Street station

Region & Route:

North West & Central

A Christmas collection has been organised at Birmingham New Street so people passing through the station can donate to local food banks and charities.

Since the start of December a COVID secure drop-off point in station reception has been accepting donations.

Non-perishable food, clothing, toiletries and hand-written Christmas cards can be left to spread some festive cheer.

The Christmas food bank appeal is running until the 21 December.

Andy Knowles, Network Rail station operations manager, said: “I’m really proud that staff have taken it upon themselves to run this Christmas collection. The station team wanted to do something to help those in the city who may be worried about putting food on their tables this festive season.

"We're appealing to people passing through the station to donate anything they can at station reception so we support the work two local charities providing a vital lifeline to those who are struggling to make ends meet this winter."

The station team will sort the donated items and hand-written Christmas cards and deliver them to:

• SIFA Fireside, a local charity that helps over 3,000 homeless and vulnerable adults each year: www.sifafireside.co.uk/
• Local food bank Lakis Greek kitchen: http://lgk.org.uk/

Melissa Roche, fundraising and corporate partnerships manager for SIFA Fireside, said: “We can’t thank the staff and customers of Network Rail enough for their generosity. Their donations to the goods collection has helped us to stock-up our stores, ready for the winter months, ensuring we can provide our clients with much needed warm clothes. These donations make a big difference and go a long way in helping us to continue supporting those who are homeless and vulnerably housed across the city.”

Other events at the station this year include the return of the Christmas Eve meal in conjunction with the Midland Langar Seva Society, when 250 hot meals will be served to the city's homeless.

This year it will be take-away only because of safety measures put in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

For more information on the the Christmas Eve meal click here: www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/