Seaham chippy serves up dozens of free meals after manager left heartbroken by plight of woman who 'hadn't eaten in days'

A seaside chippy is ‘lending a helping hand’ by offering free hot meals to anyone struggling for food after the manager was left heartbroken by the plight of a woman who said she hadn’t eaten in days.
By Georgina Cutler
Published 17th Feb 2021, 14:07 BST
Updated 17th Feb 2021, 15:25 BST

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Michelle Gray, manager of Seaham Chippy in the town’s Railway Street, set up the project to offer free hot meals to individuals and families after seeing a post on social media from a woman saying she had gone hungry for days.

With the help of community donations, the chip shop has now served up 40 free meals, including family meal deals, to those in need since Friday, February 12.

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The kind-hearted manager said she felt ‘lucky’ to be able to offer her three children hot food so decided she wanted to help those that couldn’t.

Seaham Chippy has been serving up free meals to those in need, with the help of community donations. Pictured are manager Michelle Gray (right) and owner Nick Singh (right)Seaham Chippy has been serving up free meals to those in need, with the help of community donations. Pictured are manager Michelle Gray (right) and owner Nick Singh (right)
Seaham Chippy has been serving up free meals to those in need, with the help of community donations. Pictured are manager Michelle Gray (right) and owner Nick Singh (right)

Michelle said: “It breaks my heart that people can’t afford a hot meal so I wanted to help those individual people that need a meal and also families that are struggling – I don’t want to see a mam who isn’t able to give her kids hot food, anybody can get in touch.”

Floods of donations have come from members of the public who wanted to help, with over £240 being donated to the project so far.

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The manager said people have been ‘extremely grateful’ with one customer who was initially embarrassed to take up the offer said Michelle “deserve[ed] a gold medal” and she can’t thank her enough.

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Michelle added: “The people of Seaham have been amazing, so many people wanted to help out and if donations keep coming in then we are planning to arrange fresh food hampers for people to make easy meals.

"I can’t believe how much support we’ve had – a man came into the shop and placed £60 in my hand, he didn’t want any recognition and my boss was nearly in tears!”

The shop say they want to help people this tough time so is encouraging those struggling to not only visit them once but to take up the offer whenever they need a hot meal.

You can arrange a hot meal by messaging Michelle directly on social media or call in the shop to collect or have a meal delivered.

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