A CAFÉ owner with a heart of gold is sacrificing her Christmas Day to feed the community’s elderly and homeless for free.

Nicole Lawrence, 32, came to Walthamstow as an eight-year-old girl from Jamaica, realising her life-long dream in 2014 with the opening of her M & N Sandwich Bar in Forest Road.

On Christmas Day, Miss Lawrence is opening her café from 12pm to 4pm for those without a home or family to spend it with.

Growing up in Jamaica, Miss Lawrence rarely had much food, piecing together meals from rice and dumplings, but mainly living off fruit.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Nicole said she knows "how hard it can be”

She added: “I haven’t forgotten where I’ve come from and remembering those days when I didn’t have food compared to now.

“This time of year can be very difficult, there is lot of people living homeless on the street.

“They don’t have any friends, they don’t have any family, they don’t have any food or places to live.

“I know how hard it can be.”

Miss Lawrence said she has been overwhelmed by the community's response after putting a sign outside her café to advertise the free meals.

She said: “The response has been so amazing, people have been coming in donating money and food.

“It’s been so nice, people are chipping in, offering their help for the day as well.”

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Nicole will serve up Christmas meals with a Caribbean twist

The café owner admitted she wanted to repay the community which has shown her love and support since she opened over two and half years ago.

She added: “I want to make the day special for the people who really need it.

“We’re all coming together and helping out for Christmas.”