Urgent Christmas meal appeal after charity donations drop

A VITAL Christmas appeal to provide warm meals and support for people experiencing homelessness and hardship in the North East is facing a worrying shortfall, with donations currently under half of what they were at the same point last year.

- GEORGIA CUTHBERTSON

The annual Homeless Christmas Meal held at Newcastle Cathedral (Cafe 16) in partnership with the homeless charity Changing Lives are struggling with donations being under half of what they were this time last year.

Donations help cover essential costs such as food, staffing volunteers and follow-on support that extends beyond the Christmas period. Organisers are warning that without an urgent increase in donations the appeal risks falling short of its goal which could potentially impact the charity's ability to support people throughout the winter and into 2026.