Leeds Homeless Street Angels donate 80 Christmas dinners and presents to homeless in Leeds

Leeds Homeless Street Angels have donated more than 80 hot Christmas dinners and rucksacks full of presents to the homeless in Leeds.
Leeds Homeless Street Angels volunteers on Christmas EveLeeds Homeless Street Angels volunteers on Christmas Eve
Leeds Homeless Street Angels volunteers on Christmas Eve

An army of volunteers turned out for the charity's 2019 Rucksack Appeal on Christmas Eve, donating gifts to the homeless in the city centre, Hyde Park and Headingley.

The presents were carefully wrapped at the Lord Darcy Pub in Alwoodley in November, where families gathered to listen to Christmas carols and wrap presents at the annual event.

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Co-founders Becky and Shelley Joyce said: "It was an amazing turn out for Christmas Eve - over eighty Christmas dinners and rucksacks full of presents handed out.

"A lot of very happy guys on the streets."

This year, the charity teamed up with Fiona Willis from Leeds charity Street Paws to make doggy rucksacks as well as the Christmas gifts for rough sleepers.

Each rucksack included a personal note inside, with the name of the person who sponsored it.

Speaking at the gift-wrapping event, Becky said: "It makes it more personal for the people who want to help out, and for the guys on the street.

"Someone is giving it to them with love.

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“They are so excited to see that someone actually cares for them and has bothered to wrap presents, rather than just giving them a box of chocolates on the street.

“So much more thought is put into the rucksacks and every present we’ve picked personally."