A banquet of Caribbean food is due to be laid out for homeless and vulnerable in the Cotswolds by a catering company from the county - and you can contribute.

Jamaica Inn Kitchen is the driving force behind a partnership with two Cotswold-based charities whose focus is also on supporting community and some of the county's most marginalised.

The Caribbean-themed firm, run by Derrick McLean offering catering services for events and occasions in the Cotswolds, has partnered with the Marah Trust and volunteer-run Chalfest to stage the event in Stroud.

Last January Mr McLean cooked 90 meals for the homeless from town Stroud - all paid for through generous donations from his customers.

And on Saturday he plans to do the same again - with the help of the Marah Trust and funded through his 'Pay It forward Banquet' scheme, which allows his regular customers to donate towards the cause.

It will cost just £250 to cover the cost of the event, and the group's donations on its Just Giving page so far total £140.

"This weekend (November 3) is my second banquet and I am working with Marah Trust again whose incredible work and volunteers deserve every support possible," he said.

"Back in March Dan Burner, Chalfest organiser, heard about my Pay It Forward Scheme and suggested that we work together and generously offered to donate meals towards the next banquet in lieu of my Chalfest 2018 pitch fee.

"Another stunning example of how generous and proactive the Stroud community are. This donation and those from my customers over the past nine months mean it will be a big affair again.

"It's getting cold out there and there are still many people on the streets. My aim is to give a bit of hope and to raise awareness I work in hope of a day when this is not necessary.

"Please continue to donate to our scheme so I can feed as many people as possible on the day and plan the next event in the New Year. Thank you."

Marah "reaches out to homeless, vulnerable and disadvantaged people - those who are excluded from the everyday positive experiences of life due to their circumstances".

Chalfest is described as "a not for profit community interest company and has been organised entirely by the good-hearted volunteers in the community".

To contribute to the cause visit the following links.

Website: www.jamaica-inn-kitchen.co.uk  

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/jamaicainnkitchen/ 

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/derrick-mclean-3?utm_term=MdnxmB77K 

Marah: www.marah.org.uk  Michael Athienites Drop-in Manager Marah Trust. Tel: 01453 367006