Ten years ago when Hasnath Mia was homeless, someone gave him a free meal on Christmas day.

A decade, and 10,000 free food packages later, he said he is still repaying the favour.

Mr Miah, who runs Indian Dream in Didcot, started giving away free meals at the start of the pandemic.

Cost of living calendar – reveal a different story every day

After first starting on dedicated days, Mr Miah will now give food to anyone who needs it, seven days a week.

And Christmas day will be no different.

The business owner used to be homeless, and 10 years ago a woman called Anne gave him a free meal when he was sleeping rough.

Bus fares being capped at £2 by 130 companies to help passengers with cost of living

How to cook Christmas dinner like a professional chef – and the best way to use leftovers

Cost of living: Warm banks offering free heating in libraries and town halls to close over Christmas – leaving users filled with dread

“I promised myself, if I ever had a restaurant or any position, I would do the same thing to help people.

“So I keep my promise.”

Amid the soaring cost of living, Hasnath said he doesn’t want people to feel embarrassed if they need free food.

“I tell them to come in, we will act like you have paid and you can take the food,” he said.

“We can do it completely privately.”

And despite the impact of inflation on his own business – with the cost of food and energy on the rise – Mr Miah said he has no plans of stopping his free food.

“I don’t see any way I am going to stop,” he said.

“Because we don’t need a million pounds for living. We just need basic things – food, a cup of tea, maybe once a year you have a holiday.

“That’s what we need. We don’t need millions in our bank, or a posh car or posh house.

“I don’t believe we need this.”

Related posts:

Weekly COVID cases rise by 71% to highest level since early February, latest figures show Waiting list at record high but hospitals admitting more patients, NHS figures show Inquests into deaths of serial killer Stephen Port’s four victims set to go ahead Keir Starmer mobbed in street by protesters as police escort Labour leader to safety near Parliament Teenager jailed for walking into college with knife and fake gun Chelsea’s bank account temporarily suspended, Sky Sports News understands Strikes ‘likely’ to go ahead as minister warns public to prepare for ‘substantial disruption’ Biggest rail strike in three decades to go ahead as last-ditch talks fail Mother and partner found guilty of murdering her 15-year-old son after torture campaign Prince Harry wins bid to bring High Court challenge against the Home Office Russian submarines tracked by Royal Navy in North Sea Yellow weather warning issued for heavy rain in parts of the South East