A McDonald's in Birmingham refused to serve hot water to chairty workers feeding the homeless. (NTI)

McDonald's have found themselves in hot water after refusing to help charity workers who were trying to hand out cups of tea to the homeless.

Kindhearted volunteers for Everyone Deserves A Christmas had planned on supplying people living on the streets in Birmingham with a warm drink on Saturday night.

After running out of hot water they approached the branch of the fast food giant’s outlet in the city centre and asked them to fill up two flasks.

But the charity workers were left stunned after the McDonald's staff told them hot water could only be provided in ‘approved cups’.

Shockingly, staff still even refused to hand any over even when charity workers said they would pay for it.

After being turned away at around 6.30pm the group were forced to go to a local hotel who happily filled up their flasks for the charitable cause.



The next day the furious charity put a short open letter on their Facebook page asking McDonald’s why they had refused to help.

View photos The charity's angry open letter to the company went viral. (NTI) More

The post has been shared more than 145,000 times and has gone viral on social networking sites.

James Jeffery, 30, who organised the event, said: ‘My partner, who is also one of the organisers went into McDonald’s on Dale End and asked them to fill up two flasks.

‘The flasks were not huge, and are very secure. McDonald's point blank refused and we even offered cash.

‘I put the image of the letter up after the event because I was disgusted. We didn't ask for charity from McDonald’s - we just wanted a bit of water. We couldn't believe they wouldn't help.

‘A huge company like McDonalds' should be able to spare a bit of hot water surely. It is an absolute disgrace.’

The viral message, posted just after midnight on Sunday morning, said: ‘Dear McDonald’s Dale End

‘On the 20th December 2014 we ran a charity event in Birmingham to feed and clothe the homeless.

‘We asked if you could fill two large flasks with hot water so that we could provide cups of tea and coffee to the homeless; and also to the volunteers who helped out.

‘You refused, even though we offered you money. Why?

‘Share until McDonalds respond to this.’

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Other Facebook users have since taken to social media to express their outrage.

Andi Linzi-Pea Higginson said: ‘I used to work at this McDonald’s and I’m ashamed to say I did.

‘What’s two flasks of hot water to them? Absolutely shocking. Sorry everybody had to go through that.’

Another user, Adam 'Combo' Williams, said: ‘Pretty harsh to not provide hot water, what’s the difference between this and refusing someone regular water should they require it?’

A McDonald’s spokeswoman said: ‘With the safety of customers in mind, this restaurant felt hot water should only be provided in our approved cups which have been tested to ensure the wellbeing of our customers.

‘This was in addition to the water flasks being too large to fit under our drinks machine, preventing our staff from safely filling them with hot water.

‘We have made contact with the event organiser and arranged to discuss how this matter can be remedied and how we can work together going forward.

‘We apologise for any upset caused.’

Everyone Deserves A Christmas was created to provide food and clothes for the homeless over the festive season.