Jacket potato supremo Spud Man has pledged to help feed homeless people in Liverpool after chatting with one of our Guide Heroes.<\/p>\n
Anthony Grice, who runs Fika coffee shop in Childwall, is known for his year-round efforts to support the local community.<\/p>\n
That includes regularly volunteering with the Liverpool in Arms charity which gives out hot meals and drinks to the homeless and vulnerable in the city centre.<\/p>\n
Spud Man, aka Ben Newman, is currently pulling in huge crowds at Liverpool Christmas Market alongside Scouser John the Spud, so Anthony \u2013 who won our Business Hero 2025 award \u2013 decided to pay him a visit.<\/p>\n
And, after explaining the work of Liverpool in Arms, Spud Man was happy to lend a hand (and some jackets) to stop people in need going hungry in the run-up to Christmas.<\/p>\n
Anthony explains:<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know Spud Man personally but I think he\u2019s boss, and I love it when someone\u2019s been doing the job for years and they\u2019ve got lucky and it explodes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI messaged him on socials and he replied to say \u2018pop down and see me\u2019 so I went down to the Christmas Market at St George\u2019s and he was telling me all about his journey.<\/p>\n
\u201cI told him about what we do at Liverpool In Arms and how a lot of local businesses support the volunteers. We go into town on Mondays and Wednesdays, we send food and it\u2019s given out to the homeless. We can feed between 100 and 150 people at each session.<\/p>\n
\u201cI donate and I try to go down every week if I can to help out. I jump on the front line with them and I take down the sleeping bags, coats, hats, scarves, gloves and warm blankets we get donated through the shop.<\/p>\n
\u201cI asked Ben if he\u2019d be interested in getting involved, and obviously he gets asked to do a lot for charity, but he said he always helps where he can.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe said while he\u2019s in Liverpool, if we sent anyone down to his stall who was in genuine need and struggling, and they said they\u2019d spoken to Tony at Fika, he\u2019d feed them for free.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spud Man has confirmed he\u2019s happy to do his bit to share some Christmas spirit, as well as maintaining the dignity and respect of those who come for help.<\/p>\n
With just a couple of weeks to go to the big day, Anthony is also busy running his annual Operation Christmas Liverpool appeal again. He\u2019s asking supporters to buy an extra gift for someone in the city who might otherwise go without.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s collecting new, unused and unwrapped toys, selection boxes, gift sets and warm clothing gifts like gloves and socks. Anyone who\u2019d like to donate can drop off at Fika on Woolton Road during opening hours until December 21.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Find out more about FIKA here<\/a>. Find out what\u2019s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide.\u00a0
\nFind out what\u2019s on across Liverpool this Christmas here<\/a>. <\/p>\n
\nFrom the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North \u2013 visit\u00a0thenorthernguide.com<\/a>\u00a0and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram\u00a0HERE.<\/a><\/p>\n