A kind-hearted mum and business owner is opening the doors of her hotel to families worried about the soaring cost of bills and food during the cost-of-living crisis. Kate Stewart is the self-made millionare who wants to provide comfort to struggling families as the colder months approach and winter sets in.
Kate said she wants to "take two nights of worry away" for families by providing free meals for children and a safe and warm space at The Sandon in Anfield, Liverpool. The initiative starts on Tuesday, November 8 at the hotel that was shortlisted for Best Local & Best Sport Venue in The Great British Pub Awards 2019.
As reported by the Liverpool Echo, the mum-of-four is hoping the move will help ease the burden for anyone who is worried about how they are going to afford to heat their home and feed their families during the current difficult times. From next week, the Acorn Suite at The Sandon will be open from 4.30pm - 8pm every Tuesday and Thursday.
It will accommodate up to 200 adults and children. Kate said the "heating will be blasting and lights will be blazing" at the centre, where children can eat for free and adults can have a free cup of tea whilst watching Sky Movies or their favourite soap.
Kate shared her plan across social media. In a TikTok video she said: "As the dark nights draw in and the cost of electricity and gas is just extortionate, I can't live with the fact that people will be sitting at home cold and worried about turning the lights on or how they're going to afford to feed themselves or their families.
"So I've decided to open up our Acorn Suite that can sit up to 200 people every Tuesday and every Thursday. We'll be opening the doors at 4.30pm and shutting at 8pm.
"We'll be feeding all the kids for free, there will be free cups of tea for all the adults. By doing this, I hope to take away the worry of having to heat your home and using your electricity and gas, and buying food for two nights of the week.
"I want to bring the community together." Kate also called on anyone who is "in a privileged position" to do what they can to help as many people as they can this winter.
She added: "I don't want to see anyone choose between heating and eating this winter. Let us all come together, remember our social responsibility, open up our doors, and put our hands in pockets and help as many people as we can."
The video has gone viral garnering over 23,000 likes and hundreds of comments. TikTok users have been keen to share their thoughts on Kate's heartwarming gesture.
@BigPam wrote: "What a great thing to do for your community. What a lovely kind lady x."
@jojosmiles1969 wrote: "I wish our government was as kind hearted," whilst @lprice70 wrote: "Not all heroes wear capes."
@kop916 wrote: "From one Scouser to another I am very proud of your altruism. This is a shining example of what’s good about this city."
@livmorrisx wrote: "This is amazing, so nice to see people where I’m from sticking together! Times are hard so let’s all help each other."
