North East Homeless explain how Sam Fender fundraiser will transform North Shields Fish Quay Hub centre

The North East Homeless charity has explained how the money raised from Tuesday night's Sam Fender fundraiser will revitalise their Fish Quay Hub centre.

The North Shields star played an unforgettable set to an intimate crowd of 1,750 at the O2 City Hall on Tuesday, May 24.

Tickets to the spectacular show were sold via a ballot, with funds raised going to North East Homeless.

Fender is a patron for the charity and has helped raise the group's profile, as well as funds.

Speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle ahead of the show last night, North East Homeless founder Brian Burridge told Gilly Hope how the money, an expected £130,000, would be spent.

He said: "Everyone knows the Fish Quay hub as it is, the quirkiness and the coffee shop is going to be the same.

"The shop at the front is going to be designed a little bit better, more user friendly.

"It's going to be upstairs, the building work is going to happen up there.

"We're going to have an accessible lift so everyone can use it.

"Lifts aren't cheap, they're like £100,000... I don't want a gold one, just a normal one!

"If it means that people who can't access help because they are in a wheelchair can do so, we've got to fund it.

"It'll be mid-October this year when all the building work should be finished.

"It's exciting but daunting. I never thought we'd grow to be this big."

North East Homeless is a charity that provides training, support and employment for those who experience homelessness and the hardships connected.

On the charity's website, it outlines its Fish Quay Hub space as: "Our Fish Quay Hub is an exciting Café and Venue space where the public can enjoy great food and support our charity.

"The Hub is accessible to all and includes a Changing Place; enabling a comfortable experience for all members of the public.

"We not only support people at the Hub, but local suppliers and businesses. We have made it part of our Ethos to support Local.

"We use local suppliers in our menus and we have Rent-a-Shelf for businesses who are going from their homes to trying a retail option with no risk.

"We have a Social Supermarket which is open to everyone.

"You can shop on a “Take what you need, leave what you can” basis. Making accessing free food more empowering and giving dignity back.

"We support people in their shopping, helping put ingredients together to make recipes to feed themselves and their family."