Two dozen homeless people were given a festive feast last night as the community clubbed together to give them a Christmas treat.

Forest Churches Emergency Night Shelter gives homeless people a place to stay throughout the winter months in Waltham Forest.

Last night, those who normally live on the streets of the borough were given a three course Christmas meal and a gift bag as one of the volunteers vowed to give them something special.

Twenty-four people were fed at the Greenleaf Centre in Walthamstow.

The event was organised by Michelle Leahy, FCENS volunteer, who put out an appeal of Facebook.

She said: “I was completely overwhelmed by the generosity of the local community and businesses.

“Strangers were literally turning up at my front door with parcels.

“One word sums it up – amazing. It’s so nice to know our local community are so giving to those less fortunate.”

Jackie Permale from the Emmanuel Christian Centre was the event co-ordinator and helps out at the shelter programme every week.

She said: “It was amazing.

“Everyone was so grateful, they kept saying thank you.

“There were goody bags to give all of them with hats and scarves and chocolate and toothpaste and shower gels. It was amazing.”

The owner, Victor Garcia, of Table 7 in Chingford heard about the event through a parent at St Mary’s School in Chingford.

The 39-year-old businessman volunteered to cook a three course meal for all guests.

“I have held something every year since we opened five years ago.

“We did leek and potato soup for a starter, a turkey dinner for the main meal and then Christmas pudding.

“I heard this morning that the food went down very well which I am pleased about.

“I can eat at home and I have my family around me at Christmas, some people are not that lucky. I have an opportunity to help with my business so it is important to me to help.”

Norman Coe from Christian Kitchen, who is also a trustee of FCENS, said the homeless guests were overjoyed with the evening.

“The need is very high this year, we are filled to capacity every night,” he added.

“It was a really, really great night. It was the community giving to the community which was lovely.

“They were so grateful. It makes a huge difference for them to have a gift at Christmas.”