A SYRIAN refugee is keeping his promise to give back to the community by helping the homeless.

On Saturday, Mouhyedin Alkalel will donate the profits from his falafel stall to the Salvation Army’s Darlington foodbank appeal.

When he launched his own business – Falafel Fella – earlier this year, he pledged to give something back to the town that had given him shelter and kindness.

He has lived in Darlington for about two years, arriving following a harrowing journey that took him from his home in war-torn Syria to Lebanon and from there, to Britain via a United Nations vulnerable persons resettlement scheme.

Mr Alkalel credits the support of Darlington’s people for helping him to succeed in the face of adversity and now hopes to support the community in turn.

During his time working behind the falafel stall at the town’s outdoor market, he has come to know some of the area’s most vulnerable people, handing out free meals to the homeless.

 

As Christmas approaches, he wanted to do what he could to help those who are isolated and have nobody to turn to.

The 26-year-old said: “I met some of the homeless people here in Darlington and have been giving them free falafel wraps but that is nothing so I have decided to collect some money to help.

“Now is the time of Christmas and that is a time when all families are coming together but the homeless have nobody to care about them.

“Christmas time means it is a time to help and it is a time of love and so I will be donating all of my profits on Saturday to the homeless because, as I’ve said before, it is time for me to give back to our community.”

Major Shirley McKenzie of Darlington’s Salvation Army, said: “We would like to thank Mouhyedin for his very generous offer, it is very thoughtful of him.

“The money will be used wisely to benefit those we support through our foodbank.”

The Salvation Army’s Christmas appeal is currently on-going, with donations of cash, new gifts for teenagers and children and non-perishable food items welcomed. The organisation also runs an emergency foodbank from Tom Raine Court every Friday from 6pm until 7pm.