Sam Fender becomes patron of a homeless charity in the North East

Virgin Radio

31 Mar 2022, 15:39

The award-winning musician, Sam Fender, has become the official patron of a homelessness charity in the North East.

As if we couldn't love him any more, Fender has agreed to support the charity after promoting them on his social media and even mentioning them in his acceptance speech at the Brit Awards earlier this year.

The musician, who is from North Shields, has said he is “honoured” to help the charity and added it is something “so close to [his] heart”.

North East Homeless is based in Sam’s hometown and operates from a unit on Northumberland Street, where it offers a variety of services to homeless people, such as food, training and support.

Founder of the charity, Brian Burridge, revealed Fender has been supportive of their work for a while now.

He said: "Even though he's now an internationally recognised artist, Sam has always kept his strong connections with the area.

"It started during lockdown when he couldn't tour, so he used to pop in here all the time, sometimes just sitting and playing the piano.

"We've always been a bit of a safe space for him, and he just always pops in when he can.

"We are absolutely delighted that he's agreed to be our patron.”

Brian added that Sam had already been a huge help to the charity by supporting their campaign to get councils to offer free helplines for vulnerable people in need of support and by sharing their work on his social media channels.

He concluded: "He may now be a globally recognised musician, but he's still a lad from North Shields who always remembers where he came from."

For the musician, it was the least he could do.

Fender said: “It's an honour to help a charity that's so close to my heart.

 "Homelessness is a massive problem, North East Homeless help so many people to turn their lives around, families shouldn't be struggling through no fault of their own."

Further information about North East Homeless is available at www.northeasthomeless.org.uk.