Exclusive: The Tragic Death That Sparked a Four-Decade Legacy of Compassion
Forty years ago, a heartbreaking incident in Newcastle's Leazes Park would transform countless lives. A homeless man died while sleeping under a bush in freezing weather, a tragedy that moved 75-year-old Alison Kay to action. Today, her response has evolved into The People's Kitchen, a charity feeding 1,000 people weekly and serving as a beacon of hope in the North East.
The Genesis of a Community Lifeline
In 1986, the North East was grappling with industrial decline following pit closures and the end of the miners' strike. While London's financial sector boomed during Margaret Thatcher's Big Bang, Newcastle families faced mass unemployment and economic hardship. Alison Kay, later dubbed the "Angel of Mercy" by the Newcastle Chronicle, read about the homeless man's death and felt compelled to act.
"She filled a Thermos full of coffee and wandered off into the city in the dead of night," recalls her daughter Ailie Goddard, 80, a retired secretary. "She met one or two homeless people and they were very grateful for the coffee and she promised to do it every week."
What began with a simple flask of coffee quickly expanded. Alison soon used a trolley to distribute coffee and soups in Eldon Square, eventually establishing an outdoor soup kitchen on Dean Street. Volunteers joined her efforts, leading to the acquisition of an old chapel on Bath Lane, now known as the Alison Centre.
Personal Tragedy Fuels Greater Compassion
Alison's dedication deepened through personal loss. After her husband Arthur died in 1971, she faced further heartbreak when her son Richard was killed by a drunk-driver in 1987, aged just 50. Tragedy struck again in 1992 when her other son David and his wife Margaret died in a light aircraft crash.
Despite these devastating blows, Alison's commitment to helping others never wavered. "I think of them as my children," she said of those she served. "Lots of them call me Mum and Gran. It's love that keeps me going and I'll continue until I die." She remained active even after becoming frail and registered blind, passing away in 2001 at age 91.
A Growing Need in Changing Times
Today, The People's Kitchen operates from a former Methodist Church purchased in 1997 with a £250,000 mortgage, later cleared by an anonymous benefactor. The building now stands amidst modern university structures, but its mission remains crucial.
Trustee Maggie Pavlou notes that the charity's "friends"—as all visitors are called—come from diverse backgrounds: "from people living on the street, sofa surfing or living in hostels – people who actually have accommodation but just can't afford the electric to cook anything warm."
The scale of need has escalated dramatically. "When I started volunteering here six years ago, we were doing on average 180 meals a night. Now we're doing 300 every night," Maggie reveals. Recent arrivals even include people wearing work lanyards, unable to make ends meet despite employment.
Comprehensive Support Beyond Meals
The charity's services have expanded far beyond food provision. Three hundred unpaid volunteers run a seven-day operation offering:
- A canteen serving over 1,000 meals weekly
- Hairdryers, showers, and laundry facilities
- Phone charging stations and social spaces
- A cosy reading nook with crime novels and comfortable chairs
- "Grab and go" toiletry kits for crisis situations
- Sleeping bags, handwarmers, LED lights, and mats for rough sleepers
Donations from long-term supporters like Greggs help stock a vast food and goods store. There are no forms to fill, no limits on who can come—only the promise of food, friendship, and dignity.
Demographic Shifts and Systemic Challenges
Volunteer Marilyn Champion, who joined at the inception after meeting Alison on the street, observes significant changes: "The idea is still the same. We accept everybody, we accept the Friends for who they are." However, the demographic has shifted from primarily homeless men to include more families.
This reflects broader societal issues. Research from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation shows almost one in four Newcastle children now live in poverty—a 10% increase since 2014. A recent report by Professor Alice Wiseman, director of public health for Newcastle and Gateshead, found 40,000 residents currently use foodbanks.
The city's housing crisis gained national attention when charity Crisis announced it was buying housing stock to address sharp rises in homelessness. Volunteer Kathy Devlin, 73, explains: "The people who come in uniforms can pay their bills and rent, but they don't have anything left for food."
A Legacy of Inclusion and Resilience
The Kitchen's impact extends beyond immediate needs. Ghassan, 39, originally from Palestine, first came for support two years ago and now volunteers three evenings weekly: "This is good for me to practise English and meet new people. This is a special place. Everyone can come here, and you will always be a friend."
Ailie Goddard, who retired to the Midlands but visits regularly, reflects on her mother's legacy: "It's hard to believe that 40 years later the need is still there. It's busier than ever because things are quite bad at the moment."
"It's heartbreaking that we're still needed 40 years on," she adds. "But it's also a testament to the incredible volunteers and supporters who show up. It started with one person and a flask. Now it's a lifeline for hundreds daily. Mum would have been very sad to see all these people needing help in 2026, but she'd be proud of the work being done too."
From a single tragic death has grown a four-decade story of community, compassion, and unwavering support—a testament to how one person's response to suffering can create enduring change.
