A CHRISTMAS party for people facing the festive season without a home has taken place at Birkenhead Town Hall.

More than 140 people attended the event, organised by Community Interest Company (CIC) Hope for the Hungry with help from Wirral Council Senior Business Support Officer Tracy Jobson and other Town Hall staff.

Stephanie and Chris Parsons set up the CIC, taking donations via their Facebook page from individuals and companies to help those in need.

The CIC, which runs a food kitchen outside Birkenhead Town Hall in Hamilton Square every Thursday and Saturday, provides food for around 125 people every week throughout the year.

They also provide clothes, food, toiletries and support and have a group that also helps the animals of the homeless or needy.

The Christmas party is another way they support those people without anywhere permanent to call home, with many donations assisting their work.

This year was the third Christmas party they have held and saw entertainment as well as a raffle with more than 100 prizes, including tickets to a Tranmere Rovers game.

Tracy said: "The donations we received were incredible and shows the generosity of people, and everyone had such a good time, with loads of great food.

"Everyone at the party left with gift bags full of wrapped presents including chocolate, treats, hats, gloves, scarves and smellies, as well as useful bags of food, drinks, clothes and coats."

Stef and Chris Parsons added: "Since we started in December 2016, homelessness and food poverty seems to be a growing issue, and sadly it doesn’t seem to be getting any better.

"We know that we aren't going to change the world, but if we can boost someone's day by making them smile, making them laugh, putting food in their tummy, being a listening ear or helping with anything at all, then we are there.

"Hope for the Hungry is one big family, both the team and people who use our service, and we all do our bit for each other.

"We have witnessed friendships blossom, families reunited, homeless housed, hungry families breathe a sigh of relief from a basic food parcel.

"It's a beautiful thing.

"We couldn't do any of it without our dedicated team, the support of every single person who volunteers, the support of local businesses and the support of the town hall staff.

"Birkenhead is one of the strongest, most community focused towns I have seen, and I'm sure, working together, that everyone can make a huge difference to these growing issues."

You can get involved in cooking, providing ingredients or helping on the night - search Hope for the Hungry (Birkenhead) CIC on Facebook.