More than 100 people have attended an event in Ramsgate to mark No-one Eats Alone Day.
Restaurant owner Raushan Ara joined forces with the Salvation Army to put on a free meal and entertainment for people who are homeless, facing hardship and/or socially isolated, as well as the community in general, at the Salvation Army hall on Friday (February 15).
Entertainment included music from Ashley Taylor, and Amanda White and poetry by Black Bard. It was presented by Ramsgate history buff Ralph Hoult and caught on camera by James Pearce of Pearce Wedding Photography and Brian Whitehead.
Raushan said: “The meal was an opportunity for local people to meet and chat, it was also an opportunity for homeless people from the area to be social included in a community event. Loneliness is a growing problem for our society as well as social exclusion. ‘No one eats alone’ hopes to raise awareness of this issue.”
Carl Whitewood of the Salvation Army and Raushan Ara thanked all those who took part, volunteered and donated food, clothing, toiletries and party decorations.
These also included Le Bouquet in King Street, Jill Allen; Zoe Ives; Corrina Huxley;Claire Clarke; Mel Long; Katie Cox; Lucy; Serena Lowman; N.Ni Mhathuna; Emlyn Gregory; Charlie Mason; Amy Cookson; Laura Robert; Val Fursland; Mike Deller and Ageless Thanet’s Feel Good Ukulele Group.
Raushan added: “It is my hope there will be more events like this in Thanet, with more people involved it will help bring our community together.”
Photos Brian Whitehead
