Ellie Goulding was joined by Joe Wicks as the duo helped with Crisis’ Christmas services in a bid to tackle rough sleeping in London.
The singer, 37, and the fitness guru, 39, rolled up their sleeves as they helped provide hot drinks and food, as well as many other activities.
The celebrities attended the grand opening day celebrations in central London, where the homelessness charity was overwhelmed by unprecedented demand to provide raw support to people.
Burn hitmaker Ellie revealed she was ‘in awe’ of the experience, saying her duties also included playing games and welcoming guests.
Speaking at a launch event for Crisis’ Christmas support services, she told PA: ‘I am so in awe of Crisis and the volunteers I meet every time I come here. They’ve been doing this for so long, and I’ve supported it for a long time.
“I’ve always been concerned about homelessness since I was very, very young. It was just something that always really influenced me.
Ellie Goulding (pictured), 37, was joined by Joe Wicks, 39, as the duo helped with Crisis’ Christmas services in a bid to tackle rough sleeping in London
The singer and fitness guru (pictured) rolled up their sleeves as they helped provide hot drinks and food, as well as many other activities
‘When I saw people sleeping rough it really triggered me and affected me, and so I always said to myself, if I was ever in a position where I could help and support and get involved, then I would, and that’s why I’ We’re kind of committed to it.
“And it’s not like it’s getting better, homelessness is still increasing. This Christmas, more than 300,000 people will be homeless without a proper home.
‘So we need more people to get involved in Crisis, and not just at Christmas, but all year round. We need more volunteers, more people involved, and just more people concerned.”
The Love Me Like You Do singer, who has worked for the charity for more than a decade, added: ‘I’m here to help, I’m here to do what’s expected of me.
‘I come every year, and I just served some tea and coffee, and later I’ll do some other things, different things.
‘Everyone works really hard, lots of great volunteers here, lots of friendly faces. It’s a very warm, friendly and safe environment, and it’s always a pleasure to be here.”
Meanwhile, Joe, who was volunteering at the charity for the first time, said: ‘These days we shouldn’t have people sleeping on the streets. It’s freezing, people need to be taken care of.
‘I think that as an empath I naturally care about people and this month we as a company, The Body Coach, raised money for Crisis ourselves. That’s why I was invited to come along as a volunteer.
“I’ve always been concerned about homelessness since I was very, very young. It was just something that always really influenced me,” Ellie told PA at the event
‘Nowadays we shouldn’t have people sleeping on the streets. It’s freezing, people need to be taken care of,” Joe said
“I come every year, and I just served some tea and coffee, and later I will do some other things and things, different things,” the fitness coach added.
Bridgerton star Sam Phillips also joined the team, saying: ‘I just feel passionately about the fact that no one should have to be on the streets, and it’s only with organizations like Crisis that we can change that for people.’
A man helps himself to a breakfast meal at the opening of Crisis’s Christmas services in central London, as the charity sees unprecedented demand to help people sleeping rough
“I’m going to serve some food, and I’m mainly thinking about interaction, just socializing with people and giving them a chance to talk.
“This is a great campaign that people actually get the opportunity to sleep here in this hotel for two weeks, and have a warm bed, shower, food, and it’s just amazing to see the impact it’s going to have on them.”
As well as Ellie and fitness legend Joe – Bridgerton, actor Sam Phillips was also part of the brilliant team who helped deliver Crisis’ Christmas services.
Sam, 40, told PA: ‘I believe very passionately that homelessness is a crisis in this country, and that more needs to be done.
‘Thankfully the government is now doing more with social housing, but I think ultimately we would like to see homelessness eradicated in the country.
‘I just feel passionately that no one should be on the streets, and only with organizations like Crisis can we change that for people.’
During the holidays, Crisis expects to receive double the number of referrals than there is space in the accommodation.
The crisis has taken over three hotels in the capital, offering more than 570 people their own room, companionship and access to crisis services to help them build lives beyond homelessness.
Support includes hot meals, health and wellbeing services such as GPs, opticians and hairdressers, and specialist advice on benefits and housing.
The charity says homelessness has risen by 42% this year, with 4,780 people sleeping rough on London’s streets from July to September this year, an increase of almost a fifth (18%) on the previous year.