'But it will also help us with the day-to-day costs of running the charity and just keep the lights on.' It will help us to keep doing what we're doing and help not only homeless people but others who are struggling, people in recovery, people who have just moved into new accommodation. 'This money is a lifeline for really vulnerable people. We've seen a 100% increase in demand for our food bank and our other food services and it's not just individuals coming to us, it's families too. 'We've seen a massive drop in donations from the public and donations from corporations, but at the same time, we've seen an increase in demand. It's come at the perfect time as things were looking patchy. 'Then I got an email from them which said they were playing at Download, just down the road at Castle Donington, and they wanted to support local charities.

Help the Homeless founder Arif Voraji tells the BBC: 'I started following their foundation on social media a couple of years ago and flagging our work but that was it. The thrash icons are performing two headline slots at Download in the English Midlands this weekend.Īnd in the run-up to the festival, Metallica reached out to Leicester-based Help the Homeless to offer support from their All Within My Hands Foundation – a charitable organisation that supports 'workforce education, the fight against hunger, disaster relief and other critical local services.'Īll Within My Hands said the donation would help 'those most at risk' and Help the Homeless said the money would provide a lifeline to some of the most vulnerable people in the city.

Download festival headliners Metallica have made a £40,000 donation to a charity that supports homeless people in the nearby town of Leicester.

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