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People living on Hull’s streets have spent two nights in a luxury hotel, and for many it has been “a God send”.

Raise The Roof Homeless Project organised for 28 homeless people to spend two nights over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at the DoubleTree Hilton in Ferensway.

The DoubleTree stepped in after the Royal Hotel, run by Britannia Hotels, cancelled a booking for the homeless people just days before Christmas.

On Monday, organisers of the project helped more than two dozen people check themselves into the hotel, where they were given gift bags filled with clothes and toiletries, as well as a full Christmas dinner and breakfasts.

During the day, they were able to visit takeaways such as Dope Burger for free meals, and members of the public came forward with cash donations as well as clothing and gifts such as chocolate.

Julie Horner has been living on and off the streets for almost a decade. She said: “It’s been lovely, it’s been banging to be honest with you.

WATCH: Moment Hull's homeless check into the Hilton

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“We had a Christmas dinner and we got all our breakfasts as well. When we arrived we got presents like chocolates, toiletries and gift sets. It was a nice surprise.

“My favourite part has been waking up and being able to make myself a cup of tea straight away, without having to wait three hours to get enough change to go and buy one.”

Zoe Jackson has been on the streets for the past five months, and shared a hotel room with Julie over the two nights.

(Image: Peter Harbour)

The 37-year-old said: “We had turkey and all the trimmings and they even brought us Christmas pudding. It was nice being able to be with Julie as well, because she’s really helped me out.”

Steven Bryden has been “homeless for years”, and said it was the best Christmas he had had in a long time.

“It was nice to relax and just generally being off the streets. It’s been absolutely brilliant and I just want to say thank you to Raise The Roof for doing this for us," he said.

“I missed my Christmas dinner because I was asleep. As soon as I got into the room at half past three I fell straight to sleep and didn’t wake up until the next afternoon.”

Steve Alston shared his hotel room with Steven, and also took advantage of being able to fall asleep in the warmth.

(Image: Peter Harbour)

He said: “It’s been a God send really, having somewhere warm to stay. It was so nice to be able to close my eyes and not wake up to someone spitting on me or kicking my head in.

“I’ve been on the streets for over a year but I’m on the waiting list for three hostels. When people say there are plenty of rooms available that just isn’t the case.

“Just before I became homeless I was in a relationship and working, but it all broke down, and now it’s back to normal for me on the streets. It’s been a brilliant Christmas, though.”

Dale Bulliment is currently staying in a hostel in the city, but wanted to help and volunteered his time to make sure everyone was happy.

(Image: Peter Harbour)

“I know how it feels to be out on the street,” said Dale, who was homeless for seven months.

“I help out at the soup kitchens and I spent Christmas Day night with everyone making sure it all went smoothly.

“I would have stayed here if I wasn’t in a hostel, and I just like helping people.”

Hayley Harrington, one of the directors of Raise The Roof, said: “We have been getting donations from everywhere. People have been bringing in clothes and toiletries, and cash donations.

(Image: Peter Harbour)

"We even had people stopping by on Christmas Day to drop stuff off for everyone.

“It’s really helped us help them."

Founder and director Carl Simpson said: "The hotel staff have been amazing, I can't thank them enough. Many of these people lead hectic lifestyles and the staff have gone above and beyond to cater for them."

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