Dinners are served at Samantha’s glad cafe

A ROYTON cafe owner says she has been overwhelmed by the level of local support and donations to help her make Christmas special for everyone this year.

Samantha Keenan asked for donations of toiletries, gloves, socks and treats to make up gift packs for the homeless. After an appeal on Facebook and a story in the Chronicle, people rallied around with offers of donations and help.

Samantha, owner of the Cake n Teapot cafe on Kingston Drive, said: “I couldn’t believe the response we received. It was just fantastic. In two days I’d had so many offers of help that the whole day and what we could provide changed.”

Samantha (49) had planned to open the cafe on the afternoon of Christmas Day to offer a place to people spending the day alone. But now she will open the cafe from 11am for free Christmas dinners for veterans, the elderly and the homeless.

Dr Kershaw’s Hospice is donating a marquee, local churches have offered extra chairs and tables and B&Q has given heating, flooring and decorations to make sure the atmosphere is warm and festive.

Supermarkets also offered vouchers to enable Samantha to pick up all the food she will need to provide the Christmas dinners on the day and there will be live entertainment too.

Samantha said: “I’d like to thank everyone who has donated already to help us.