While most of us enjoy the festivities during the Christmas period, it can be easy to forget what a difficult time of year it can be for others, especially those who are experiencing homelessness, who will spend the cold winter alone.

That is why our catering partner Levy once again teamed up with Chelsea staff to put on a Christmas lunch at Stamford Bridge for local homeless people, an event which has been running for seven years.

‘We host this event with Chelsea every year alongside charities who look after the homeless and people less fortunate than us,’ said Harriet Morgan, one of the volunteers from Levy. ‘It’s about bringing everyone together and giving them a nice meal at Christmas to celebrate together.

‘It’s really nice that people from all these different places work together to put on an event like this. It’s a great opportunity for us at Levy to give back to the community and work with our partners like Chelsea, especially at Christmas time.’

Guests include the Chelsea Methodist Church, which provides year-round support for those in need through their Community Drop-In Centre on King’s Road, a short walk from Stamford Bridge.

This year they were joined by the Barons Court Project, who provide the only day centre in Hammersmith & Fulham offering food and facilities like showers to those who are homeless, nearly homeless and suffering from mental health conditions.

Barons Court Project director Michael Angus said: ‘We’re very grateful as this week we had to cancel our own Christmas dinner because we lost hot water at the Project. So to be able to come here was incredibly welcome for us.

‘It’s so good for our guests to feel welcome. We walked in and the atmosphere hit us. It was warm, welcoming, and there was delicious food and exemplary service. All of that together means our guests will go home feeling loved.

‘It is a difficult time of year, many of them will be on their own and won’t see family or friends, so to have this event is just something special that makes them know people care.

‘Sadly rough sleeping has risen for the last 14 years and doesn’t show any signs of decreasing, it’s still rising. So it’s really important that, not just at Christmas but all year round, our partnerships with Chelsea Football Club, the Chelsea Foundation and Chelsea Supporters Trust allows us to do so much more than we would be able to do ourselves.’

Around 220 guests were welcomed to our stadium to enjoy a traditional three-course Christmas meal prepared by Levy’s professional chefs, with volunteers from Chelsea and Levy waiting tables, setting up the decorations and washing dishes.

Among those volunteers was Chelsea Foundation chief executive Laura Cordingley, who was taking part for the first time this year.

‘We know that Christmas can be one of the hardest times for some people, that’s why I think this was so amazing,’ she added. ‘ A Christmas lunch at Stamford Bridge is just a small thing we can do which will make a massive difference to people at this time of year. It’s heartwarming to see the difference it makes.

‘It’s sad to say, but we know that in south-west London alone over 3,000 people are sleeping rough. It’s really important that all of the community see the club as a good neighbour, as a friend that supports them, particularly the people at this event who are experiencing homelessness or hard times.’

Nav Daine, regional manager for Levy, added: ‘This is my seventh year running this wonderful event and it seems to get bigger each year. Being the highlight for many people, the guests arrive early, as they really look forward to this joyous event that makes them feel, just normal.

‘All this would not be possible without the generosity and support of the Chelsea Foundation and senior management at the club. Equally important are the volunteers across multiple departments, the Chelsea Supporters Trust volunteers and the generous donations from club partners and Levy suppliers. A huge thank you to you all.’

None of the guests left empty-handed, either, with boxes of food to take away and gift bags including warm clothing from Chelsea and Levy donations.

The event was coupled with our Wrap Up Warm campaign, which works with the Barons Court Project to provide donated winter clothing to the homeless. A selection of those warm jackets were available for guests to take home with them.

Some of those had been collected by the Chelsea Supporters' Trust on matchdays, as part of their involvement in the scheme, with some of their members also volunteering alongside Chelsea and Levy staff at the Christmas lunch.

‘I came here last year and I was blown away by it all,’ said Chelsea Supporters Trust board member Cliff Auger. ‘It’s a really wonderful thing that Chelsea do for the local community. It’s wonderful to see so many people here enjoying themselves.

‘As part of our remit as the Supporters Trust we try to get involved in community projects and link everybody up, which is why we also do a food bank collection, we’ve been involved in the Wrap Up Warm campaign collecting clothes this year, and we work closely with Stoll and the Barons Court Project.’

It all goes to show what can be achieved when Chelsea, our supporters and partners like Levy all work together alongside charities to benefit the local community, bringing a bit of Christmas cheer to those who need it most.