AROUND 100 homeless and vulnerable people enjoyed a Christmas party yesterday with live music and presents at Bradford Community Kitchen.

The community kitchen, based at the Millside Centre, in Grattan Street, provides fresh hot food every other Sunday afternoon for rough sleepers and those who have found themselves in difficulty and hungry.

The service also helps people find permanent homes and is making a dedicated effort this Christmas to get as many people off the streets and into accommodation as they can.

One of the community kitchen founders, Abdul Satar said: "It was a wonderful day and it was so good to see so many people enjoying the party.

"It is thanks to all the businesses who have continued to support us these past few years that make what we do possible.

"We used to open each Sunday, but there are some other outlets in Bradford which give food on Sundays so we now use one of those days to take food out into the community where the homeless people are. For instance, one of these places is near the arches at Forster Square. We also give out clothing which has been donated to us and try and find accommodation for some of the rough sleepers and put them up in bed and breakfast while we organise permanent accommodation with the council.

"We recently helped a family this way, as well as many single people and mums with children.

"We use the money we are donated to do this while also making sure the people have a meal."

Mr Satar, who founded the community kitchen alongside Anne-Marie Higgins, said he particularly wanted to thank Regal Food Products for donating the Christmas cake for the party once again, as well as Pakistan Catering, Sunrise Catering, Sweet Centre, Rajas, Good & Co Solicitors, Kamrans Solicitors, Tesco, Morrisons and Yorkshire Water.

"These businesses have been supporting us since we started and have made it possible for us to help so many homeless and vulnerable people.

"We don't ask questions about these people or what their circumstances are. We see them as vulnerable people who need help and we do what we can," said Mr Satar.

He added: "Bradford Community Kitchen is on call over Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day to assist rough sleepers into hotel accommodation.

"If anyone sees any homeless people they can call me on 07888693196. Our aim is to take people off the streets paid for by the generous donations from local businesses."