VISITORS to a homeless shelter enjoyed a festive treat courtesy of a restaurant chain.
Staff from the Epsom branch of Nandos spent last week renovating and improving facilities at Pitstop in Fetcham Grove, a day centre for homeless, unemployed and socially isolated people.
The shelter is the branch's "charity of the year" and as well as carrying out the improvement works, the company provided a hot Nandos meal for visitors at the end of the project.
Pitstop founder and manager Graham Peddie said: "All businesses like to do a bit of charitable work nowadays and we are their chosen charity of the year, so the staff have been raising money for us.
"They put in overhead heaters on our doors, shelves, gave us an industrial fridge and freezer.
"They have been brilliant, absolutely brilliant.
"On Wednesday [when Nandos provided hot food] the atmosphere was great and we all got a fantastic meal too."
As well as improvements to the building's heating system, including a new boiler, the restaurant chain also put in a new fan extraction system in the kitchen.
And according to Mr Peddie, a selection of artwork – also installed as part of the project – has helped transform the communal area of the shelter.
"They have brought a load of African art and put it up for us," he said.
"They are paintings on canvas, probably about eight of them, and they've really brightened up the whole area."
Nandos also provided a selection of furniture, kitchen equipment, storage facilities and computers for those who use the day centre.
They then laid on a meal for volunteers and visitors.
Company spokesman Alastair Flower said: "We took a cart full of chicken down to Pitstop and put on a Peri-Peri feast for visitors and members of the staff to enjoy."
Earlier this month the Advertiser reported that the shelter is in urgent need of non-perishable food supplies.
Anyone who can help is asked to deliver donations between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.
The charity is also seeking volunteers and entertainers for its annual Christmas Day dinner at Fetcham Village Hall.
Call 01372 363003 if you want to get involved.
