Christmas cheer for Keighley's homeless (From Keighley News)

Christmas cheer for Keighley's homeless

8:00am Saturday 29th December 2012 in News

A festive breakfast for people sleeping rough in Keighley offered Christmas cheer and support to two men.

Sunday’s event was hosted by Keighley Healthy Living, in Scott Street. Community workers had expressed concern for the plight of people said to be bedding down behind the town hall and in Back Cavendish Street.

Healthy Living spokesman, Carolyne Coyle, said the breakfast was staged by a team of seven volunteers, including Keighley mayor Councillor George Metcalf and his wife Nanette.

She said one of the men who came had spent the previous night in a doorway and the other had been sleeping near the railway station.

“Luckily it had been quite mild that night for the time of year,” she said.

“The men came and had breakfast, had a wash and also got a change of clothes. The people who supported this event had been extremely generous – they’d given us things like sleeping bags, clothes and toiletries. One person even donated £40, which we spent on food.

“The circumstances of people sleeping rough can change on a daily basis, and over the Christmas period it’s more likely that some of them will be in a hostel or staying with friends.

“We’re going to liaise with other organisations to see if more events like the breakfast are necessary in Keighley.”