Chef Aldo Zilli works with youth homelessness charity Centrepoint for Christmas campaign

To raise awareness of the thousands of homeless young people who don’t know if they will get a meal on Christmas Day, Centrepoint has released images comparing a typical Christmas dinner to a meal that homeless people may eat.

The charity compares a decadent Christmas dinner to a not-so-festive tinned pilchards and rice, discarded pizza, microwave meals, fast food and leftovers.

Among these foods are items homeless young people told the charity they have eaten on previous Christmases.

Chef, Aldo Zilli said: "Having experienced homelessness myself, and eaten discarded pizza from the back of a restaurant on Christmas day, I’m proud to be able to support Centrepoint this year. While most of us worry about supermarket queues and buying enough stuffing to feed the family, many homeless young people will be spending Christmas alone, scared and without a decent meal.

"I encourage everyone to spare a thought for people in need this Christmas, and if they are able, to consider making a donation to Centrepoint in order to help them."

Centrepoint is encouraging people to resist buying food they don’t need this Christmas, especially as a survey by the charity revealed that 22 per cent of people have claimed that they have thrown away leftovers due to excess.

One in ten have also admitted discarding unopened food during the festive period.

Senior Dietitian at Centrepoint, Isabel Rice said: "The pandemic has definitely affected homeless young people and the food they are able to access. When many of us were panic buying, they were having to use more expensive corner shops rather than travelling to larger cheaper supermarkets, and this has affected their ability to get the food they need."

Centrepoint CEO, Seyi Obakin said: "The pandemic has seen a dramatic increase in youth homelessness so we need help now more than ever to support and protect vulnerable young people and help them have a brighter New Year."