A CHRISTMAS lunch for homeless people almost had to be abandoned after funding fell through at the last minute.

Officials from The Foundation charity were only told money they had planned to spend on today’s (Wednesday, December 18) lunch would not be forthcoming on Monday.

But after a frantic round of calls to other funding bodies, the meal still went ahead and 20 guests tucked into the festive feast at Waddington Street URC hall, in Durham City.

Erin Brown, from The Foundation – which works with homeless people and those at risk of homelessness, said: “It was a bit like A Christmas Carol on Monday – we had to go round with our begging bowls.

“But it went really well.”

There was a quiz, raffle, carol singing and all guests received a Christmas gift.

Among the organisations which stepped in to help were Durham Tees Valley Probation Trust, Greggs, The Trussell Trust, Horizon Estates, Prop Services and Ssertrof.