CHRISTMAS is not a happy time for everyone.

Exchanging presents, a three-course meal with all the trimmings and being surrounded by family is is the stuff of dreams for some people — especially the homeless.

But one little boy — Billy Higham— wanted to make that dream a reality for as many people as he could.

The 10-year-old began to volunteer at Hope4Homeless earlier this year, after becoming upset at the thought of the homeless being outside in the rain and cold.

Every Christmas the charity put on a dinner for the needy.

But due to unforeseen circumstances, Christmas for the homeless was almost cancelled — until Billy saved the day.

So, after much planning and generous donations from the public, the doors of All Souls Church were opened for a Christmas party on Thursday, to bring festive cheer to more than 50 people in need.

Liberal Democrat candidate Warren Fox, who helped the cause, said: “It is overwhelming to just see the amount of time and number of items that people have donated.

“This is what being in a community is all about.

“It’s about everyone being equal because no one is different.

“And all we wanted was to bring everyone - the homeless, people in need, the elderly, anyone who may be on their own this Christmas - together.

“Billy has achieved that.”

On the evening, visitors were treated to a three-course-meal, entertainment by comedian Ben Lawes and 17-year-old singer Kaitlyn Gavan. Speaking at the event he made possible, Billy said: “I feel happy that the homeless all got gifts and they actually got a Christmas dinner. I have made a lot of new friends with the homeless and I am looking forward to spending time with them.

“I hope they will now have a better Christmas with memories of the party.”

Lisa Aspen, aged 40, turned to begging on the streets after her benefit money was stopped when she missed an appointment. She said: “I was out begging and that’s how I heard about this tonight. I have had no money for three and a half months. I got my first amount last week of £10.84 and I won’t get anything else until next year.” Lisa said people assume, when they see her begging, she is doing so to finance drugs and alcohol.

But she said that not the case. She added: “People assume the worst but we are just trying to eat, to feed our dogs and to be warm.

“I begged for three hours the other day and got £6 and on another day one man gave me £40 all at once.

“It just depends.

“We struggle though because we are either moved on by the police or by the council or shopkeepers who don’t want us sat in front of their stores.

“So you just have to take every day as it comes.

“Tonight is brilliant though.

“I am going to take some of the food with me as well, so that is another meal that I don’t have to worry about. And it is just nice for us all to get together and get out of the horrible places where we are for a while.

“We only get to see each other in passing in the street.

“In our situations you think that people don’t care, but tonight proves that they do.

“You can either lay down and die or keep going and I choose to keep going.”

David Carty is only 19 years old, but has been in a hostel since the age of 14 after his parents died.

He said: “I have seven sisters and one brother, but I don’t speak to them.

“It is all right in the hostel but I would rather be with my family.

“I have also been to jail, but I am hoping to get my life back on track now.

“It has been really nice here tonight. Really good.”

Billy’s mum Angela Higham, of Hill Cot Road, Astley Bridge, said: “He has opened so many people’s eyes and made so many people aware of the homeless.

“I am so proud of him and thankful to everyone who has helped.”

Billy is already thinking ahead and planning yet another celebratory idea — this time with a chocolate theme to celebrate at Easter.