Victoria Fish Bar in Cardiff will open on Christmas Day to feed those in need for the third year running
Victoria Fish Bar will open this Christmas in order to help vulnerable people and public service workers by offering them with free Christmas meals.
Muhammad Nazakat, owner of the Cardiff fish and chip shop, is eager to help people “with no food to eat, or nobody to eat with”, as well as those working in the NHS and police over Christmas.
The shop will be open between 12-3pm on 25 December with the help of local volunteers.
Muhammad has been giving out Christmas dinners for the last two years, initially coming up with the idea after noticing how many people were living on the streets of Cardiff.
According to Welsh government statistics, 36 out of every 1,000 households in Cardiff applied for homelessness assistance between March 2019 and April 2020. This is the highest number of applications for any area in Wales.
New statistics, which will show the pandemic’s effects on rates of homelessness are due to be released by the Welsh government next month.
Last year, Muhammad’s offer of free meals was extended to frontline workers, which he felt was important after all their help during the pandemic.
Police and firefighters often work over the Christmas period.
The business owner feels his free Christmas meals are a chance to show the community’s gratitude for their work.
“Anyone who works on Christmas is giving up time with their family to help other people,” he said. “We want to give them something back.”
We must stick together and look after each other. Unity is the most important thing
Muhammad said that it is important for businesses to contribute to the community, particularly through the difficult times brought about by the coronavirus.
He said, “It’s a short life, we must stick together and look after each other. Unity is the most important thing.”
People should contact Victoria Fish Bar via Facebook if they wish to volunteer this Christmas.
You can make a difference this Christmas by donating to…
Helps those sleeping rough in Cardiff through facilities including a hostel, day centre, advocacy service and substance misuse education and treatment.
Helps keep people in Wales off the streets through immediate support, temporary accommodation and training opportunities.
Helps young people and vulnerable women who are homeless in Wales through domestic abuse refuges, employment opportunities and mental health support.