A KIND-volunteer has been collecting and delivering meals so homeless people can receive a treat on Christmas Day. 

Richard Kendrick, a prominent fundraiser in Rhyl who was recognised for his work with communities across Denbighshire in 2022 and won a Platinum Champion Award in celebration of the Queen's Jubilee, received a big donation towards meals from Paul Gough of Gough Electrical Limited.

Richard has been making a "mad dash" to collect meals to drop off at temporary accommodations. 

He said: "Paul Gough of Gough Electrical Limited made a donation and so far, about 200 meals gone out.

"I'm using money from the Liverpool raffle to buy more.

"I'm just struggling to buy the meals now as a lot of the shops have sold out. I'm having to travel to Prestatyn and Colwyn Bay to get more."

Richard was touched to be given a £20 donation off a man in Poundland towards meals.

He has spent £400 so far [out of money made through fundraising].

Children who live in Rhyl, and are in temporary accommodation, are also receiving tickets to go to Geronimo's for two hours of play and a meal. 

Richard said: "I have recently spent £700. The money was money we raised from events in Summer and Tombolas in the White Rose Centre. We have bought 80 tickets for a meal and play and 50 for a play for families after Christmas.

"We buy the tickets and then give them to the housing officers who pass them out. The kids can play with other kids, a lot of them don't have gardens or yards to play out in, and here they have got two hours play with other children. They can also have a meal and they are warm and the parents can talk to someone else as well."

The Journal recently highlighted the story of Tracy and her children Olly, 13, Angel, 10 and Bella, 7, who have been sharing one room at Rhyl's Westminster Hotel for more than a year.

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They’re about to spend their second Christmas in the hotel with more than 100 other homeless people, including other families.

Tracy's plight was featured on BBC Wales Investigates: I'm Homeless - How Will Santa Find Me? 

The mum and her family were made homeless when her landlord sold their four-bedroomed rented home.

Denbighshire council sent them to live in a hotel in Rhyl until alternative accommodation could be found.

The local authority said demand for social housing exceeded supply and temporary accommodation was used "for far longer" than it would like and it was working with Tracy to find a permanent solution.

Asked by her mum what she'd wish for if she could make a wish on a Christmas star, Bella replied: "Get a cat and a dog that love each other...

"For when we've got a house."

Richard often raises money dressed as 'Bearjamin the Charity Bear'. The team behind 'Bearjamin' work 365 days a year to support homeless people, veterans and families.