Teachers transform their school to feed Doncaster's homeless on Christmas day

Many took shelter under stairs opposite the site where she runs her school for children who struggle with mainstream schooling, on Duke Street.

And so this Christmas, she decided she had to help them.

So on Christmas Day, she is cooking meals for scores of homeless people to make sure whatever else happens on the day, they will get a good turkey meal and hot drinks.

Lauren runs the Future Pathways Community Interest Company at a site next to the old Karisma nightclub, with teachers working at the centre which has its own classroom and kitchen.

They moved into the town centre from Bentley last year.

Lauren said: “This year is different to any other. We’re in our bubbles, and we can’t get out to see our families. But we have the facilities to make a difference to people here, and we have a catering kitchen.

"Our teachers who work here have volunteers to help.

"It’s the first time we’ve done something like this on Christmas Day.”

Lauren has spoken to some of those who bed down nearby and was keen to help them. Her fiancé and their two teenage children are also helping at the two hour session at lunchtime, running from 11am.

Over the last few days, they have been carrying out most of their preparation work to make sure that they are ready on the day. They will be starting work early on Christmas Day to get the last of the food ready.

Lauren’s team will be providing either sit down meals at socially distanced tables in the warmth of the building, or takeaways for those who would sooner eat them elsewhere. There will also be welfare parcels for homeless people to take away. They will contain important items such as warm clothing and hygiene products, which have been put together with help from the Homeless Shoebox Appeal and The Hygiene Bank.

They will also dish out vouchers for the bakery chain, Greggs, which have been donated by Parkhill Hospital.

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