A GRANDMOTHER is preparing to give Oxford’s homeless a slap-up Christmas meal for the 20th year running.

Icolyn Smith, from the Littlemore Church of the God of Prophecy, has been dishing out free hot meals to the needy for two decades.

She always prepares a traditional Christmas dinner during the festive season, and this year’s will be on Wednesday at the Asian Cultural Centre in Manzil Way, off Cowley Road, from noon. Up to 70 people are expected to attend.

Mrs Smith – known affectionately as ‘Ma’ or ‘Sister Smith’ – is promising roast turkey, beef, Yorkshire pudding, Christmas pudding and mince pies at the feast, beginning at noon.

She said: “It’s something that I love to do. The first thing I want to do is help.

“I don’t care who they are. I never thought I would be doing it for 20 years, I have to ask people how long it has been.”

Mrs Smith, who has five children and nine grandchildren, cooks a roast dinner for the homeless every Wednesday of the year, but says the Christmas dinner is always her favourite.

She starts cooking as early as 7am and decks out the hall with tablecloths, crackers and balloons.

Everyone also gets a goody bag full of donated gifts, including socks, gloves and scarves.

The former carer from Cowley added: “It’s special at Christmas, but they are grateful 12 months of the year.

“They call it their Sunday lunch.

“I make fresh soup every week. Their favourite meal is beef or roast lamb.

“Sometimes I do Jamaican cooking, fried banana fritters and sausage fritters.

“It makes it worthwhile, no money can do that.

“They always say it’s the only cooked meal they have in the week.

“They always bring their dogs and I feed them as well.

Mrs Smith is helped by an army of helpers every week and receives donations from the Oxford Food Bank, which collects food to distribute to the needy.

eallen@oxfordmail.co.uk

  • Mrs Smith is looking for volunteers. Call her on 01865 772479.