Festive feast raises thousands for homeless charity

A Brighton burger business which opened on Christmas Day for rough sleepers raised more than £2,000 for a homeless charity.
Paul Clark, owner of Trollburger, and Steve Moss, project worker at First Base Day CentrePaul Clark, owner of Trollburger, and Steve Moss, project worker at First Base Day Centre
Paul Clark, owner of Trollburger, and Steve Moss, project worker at First Base Day Centre

Paul Clark, the owner of Trollburger, started a crowdfunding campaign to hold a street party for the homeless and lonely on Christmas Day.

The burger shack on Trafalgar Street saw more than 50 people turn out for the street party with music, cakes, yuletide burgers and chips for anyone who was alone or could not afford Christmas dinner.

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Mr Clark said surplus food from the day went to the Severe Weather Shelter (SWEP) at the First Base Day Centre, and a £2,000 surplus from the appeal was also donated to the centre, which run by Brighton Housing Trust.

Mr Clark said: “The appeal spread like wildfire over social media and quickly raised over four times what was needed to fund the party.

“It also attracted additional help including Maria Aurora from Brewdog Brighton, Rebecca Letchworth from Honeycomb Cakes and Louise Campbell from Mestiza Filipina, who all provided assistance on the day. As promised in the appeal, any surplus donations would be donated to First Base to help people in need throughout the year.”

Deirdre O'Halloran, deputy manager of First Base Day Centre, said: “This is a fantastic initiative. Not only did people get together to enjoy Christmas, but the funds raised will help us run our day centre. It will help us to support homeless men and women move away from the streets.

"We are extremely appreciative of local businesses, such as Trollburger, who make a huge difference to our work with those living on Brighton’s streets.”

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