Steven Naismith paid for hundreds of Christmas lunches to feed homeless people

The Everton and Scotland forward paid for lunches in Liverpool and his native Glasgow

(2015 Getty Images)

Everton forward Steven Naismith has once again paid for hundreds of homeless people to have a Christmas lunch.

The 29-year-old Scottish international has supported the Glasgow chairty Loaves and Fishes for five years and was again with the organisation, which helps the city's homeless and operates a food bank, on Wednesday.

He does the same at Liverpool's Whitechapel Centre, where he has been donating and helping out for the last three years.

"I am privileged to have the opportunity to once again support the great work that Denis [Curran, chairmain of Loaves and Fishes] and his team of helpers do for people in need in Glasgow, giving them a hot meal, clothes, food parcels and probably most importantly, a warm welcome from people who care," Naismith told the Big Issue.

"Denis, his wife Cathy, and their volunteers do so much work to help those in desperate need. It is both humbling and inspiring in equal measure. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to speak to the people who come to Loaves and Fishes. Many of their stories make difficult listening, because of the severity of hardship they have endured.

"This is something I look forward to every year. It's the start of Christmas for me. It's brilliant to come and get a banter with some great characters - they tell it is how it is, some saying I'm a good footballer and others that think the opposite - and I'm happy that I can help.

"It's a very small gesture for me but I'm always told how much it means to them."

Denis Curran told the magazine: "We really appreciate Steven’s continued support and compassion.

"Apart from the money he has donated, the awareness he creates is priceless. The calls and donations we receive following these events are fantastic.

"Steven is a very special young man. The fact that he is not only continuing his support of Loaves and Fishes, but also building upon it by doing the same for the Whitechapel Centre in Liverpool says much about the type of man he is."