Chelsea FC and the Chelsea Foundation have supported the charity before and, again, this year provided Christmas lunch prepared by culinary experts and official catering partner from Levy.

The club’s suppliers Braehead Foods, Vegetarian Express and Davin’s Foods donated produce and ingredients for our chefs to create a restaurant-quality festive meal. Club sponsors Nike and Sure both supported with gifts, including scarves and deodorants, for the guests in attendance.

Joining staff on the day were club ambassadors Tore Andre Flo, Carlo Cudicini and Eddie Newton and speaking after the event Flo said: ‘I just thought it was great to see all the people enjoying a very nice Christmas meal.

‘All the staff also did a great job making it a happy atmosphere. It was a great day.’

The 45-strong team of volunteers from Chelsea – which was almost double the number of previous years – worked across three shifts to ensure a smooth service for the afternoon.

Levy’s regional manager Nav Daine said: ‘Our teams came from across many departments from Stamford Bridge and Cobham and across all levels of hierarchy with everyone working together beautifully to deliver a seamless three-course service.

‘It was pleasure to be working with them leading up to Christmas.

‘This activity has become an annual event for us. We deliver more than a thousand events at Stamford Bridge and this one gives all an opportunity to give back to the community and to help lift the spirits of those who have fallen on harder times.’