London’s homeless charity Crisis has paid for 517 hotel rooms to house rough-sleepers over the holiday period. The annual initiative normally sees Crisis housing the homeless in dormitory-style accommodation. But this year, with the risk of COVID-19 transmission, the charity has booked out four London hotels, provided by the London Hotel Group for discounted rates.

 

Guests will be given three hot meals a day, delivered by room service. Volunteers have also created a special app that will allow residents to stream entertainment from a phone, and let them know about health services that can be used during their stay.

 

Celebrities have joined in on the initiative, with The Crown‘s Imelda Staunton and pop star Ellie Goulding among the stars appearing on a virtual Christmas quiz on 25 December.