According to figures released by the charity Shelter in 2017, over 300,000 people in Britain are officially recorded as homeless or living in inadequate homes. This is the equivalent to one in every 200. It would certainly be absurd to disregard the fact that homelessness is indeed a dire issue that ought to be addressed substantially. A takeaway in Ilford is doing their bit to help homeless people by offering free meals every Thursday between 3pm and 7pm.
Naeem Qureshi of The Chicken Spot, Ilford, and Patrick Williams, Chair of the Redbridge MacMillan Fundraising Group feed an average of 300 people for free every Thursday. Qureshi prepares hot meals and distributes them among pensioners, rough sleepers, as well as to those facing financial difficulties.
While walking through Ilford and seeing people struggling on the streets on a daily basis, Naeem Qureshi felt compelled to take initiative and help in his own way. He said, “I see so many people who are thankful to have a meal. After handling out my food, one woman burst into tears and was so touched by it all. That is why I do this – to help. If everybody did things, it would be a fantastic area.”
Patrick Williams said, “If everyone did what Mr Qureshi is doing then perhaps we as individuals would help to diminish homelessness not by force but by compassion and just by helping someone. We need more people like him to make a significant difference.”
