Apprentice winner spends Christmas Day with homeless in Brum

While many were spending Christmas morning with their families, The Apprentice winner James White decided to spend his with the vulnerable and needy at a Birmingham shelter.

The 26-year-old entrepreneur paid a visit to the Birmingham Homeless Outreach (BHO) charity in Digbeth, to help prepare and serve Christmas brunch and hand our presents.

Owner of his own recruitment firm in the city, Brummie James won the business-based reality TV show earlier this month, being jointly hired alongside fellow contestant Sarah Lynn by property and technology mogul Lord Alan Sugar.

Mucking in with volunteers at the outreach base, James also met with BHO charity founder Rik James, who was also a successful businessman before becoming homeless nearly a decade ago.

Birmingham Homeless Outreach have only recently moved into the Digbeth unit they occupy but have already used the property to organise and distribute clothes, food and essential items.

This Christmas, they held a special festive dinner for rough sleepers, a Christmas Day brunch and are open daily to provide hot food, drinks, support and advice.

Teams of volunteers from the charitable organisation make regular visits in and around the city to check on rough sleepers and to assist them as and when needed. The outreach walkabouts take place everyday and hot food and drink is provided to anyone on the streets who requires or requests it.

“We provide hot food, clothes and advice to those that need it, across Birmingham city centre, and are working with hundreds of people every week,” explains Rik.

“Without the support of all of the volunteers, the companies, groups and individuals who donate food and funds, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do. There are many other teams doing this good work too and we aim to work with as many of them as possible.

“We think it’s wonderful that James White has joined us here today to brighten up the day for people who would be along on Christmas otherwise. He has brought with him some Christmas cheer, as do our regular volunteers, and it is very much appreciated and welcome.”

While the Birmingham Homeless Outreach charity has individual volunteers and donations from the likes of Greggs bakers, it relies primarily on donations to commit to its work with the homeless.
If you’d like to donate, you can do so here.