The exact moment UB40 star Robin Campbell rocked up at New Street Station’s homeless party

It was the moment that summed up the spirit of Birmingham – UB40 star Robin Campbell rocking up at New Street Railway Station wearing a pair of blue kitchen gloves to help to feed the homeless.

The guitarist and singer has spent four decades at the top of the charts and touring the world with UB40’s distinctive brand of reggae.

But, hot on the heels of a world tour taking more than 100 shows at the end of the band’s 40th anniversary year, Robin was back home – volunteering to serve soup for the homeless at New Street Railway Station.

Lots of dinners: UB40 founder member Robin Campbell helping out at New Street Station’s party for the homeless(Image: Graham Young / BirminghamLive)

The Christmas Eve event from 6pm-9pm was organised by Midland Langar Seva Society – a Walsall-based Sikh charity – in conjunction with Network Rail.

Some 350 homeless, vulnerable people and struggling families were invited to share in some festive cheer with a three-course meal and presents.

BirminghamLive was just broadcasting a Facebook Live video on the BirminghamLive Facebook page when Robin walked between our camera and the Black Country Community Choir singing Christmas carols on the concourse inside the Grand Central atrium.

Hundreds at the New Street Christmas dinner for the homeless(Image: Birmingham Mail)

On Saturday night, he had been ending the UB40 year with a hometown gig at Birmingham Arena.

Watch the above video to see how he reacted when we called him over at New Street Station – and what he said on our FacebookLive video.

Who are UB40?

The Christmas dinner for homeless in New Street Station(Image: Birmingham Mail)

Named after a dole card, UB40 played their first gig on January 9, 1979 at the Hare & Hounds in Kings Heath.

In 1980, Food for Thought became their first hit single from debut album Signing Off.

No 1 singles including Red Red Wine followed and the band has managed to keep touring the world for four decades despite losing original lead singer Ali Campbell – brother of Robin – in 2008.

The pair have since been at war for years over the right to use the UB40 name.

Robin Campbell and his UB40 bandmates joined forces with Jeremy Corbyn and backed his ‘For the many, not the few’ ethos.

So much so, their 19th studio album was called For The Many when released in March this year and featured a dramatic cover designed by saxophonist and artist Brian Travers

It depicts a skyline of tower blocks in the wake of the Grenfell Tower inferno on June 14, 2017 which killed 72 people.

Brian, who has previously painted scenes from the Aberfan disaster of October 21, 1966, said: “We’re all socialists and Labour supporters.

“I was asked to paint a picture of the Grenfell Tower to remember the people who died there.”

What was the event for the homeless?

First floor view from Grand Central overlooking the 2019 Christmas Eve party for the homeless at New Street Railway Station(Image: Jonathan Hipkiss / BirminghamLive)

Midland Langar Seva Society (MLSS)works seven days a week to try to alleviate the problems of homelessness.

MLSS CEO Randhir Singh said: “The people who came last year had the time of their lives, so we thought we would make it bigger.

“To us they are like a second family so it’s up to us to make it a bit special for them and give them some VIP treatment.

Warriors against homelessness: West Midlands Mayor Andy Street with Santa at the 2019 Midland Langar Seva Society party for the homeless at New Street Railway Station(Image: Jonathan Hipkiss / BirminghamLive)

“If it wasn’t for Network Rail this event would have been on Carrs Lane with people taking food and sitting in a bus stop.”

One of those present to see how the event unfolded was the West Midlands Mayor Andy Street – a former managing director of John Lewis which provided some of the food for the party.

Mr Street, who earlier this week went to war with West Midlands Trains over its poor performance , said he was hopeful that January’s figures would show an improvement with more people moving off the streets into accommodation.

Asked if the new government could make a difference, he said: “I’m confident they can if they put their mind to it.

“Boris (Johnson) has talked about ending rough sleeping in London, but he needs to think about Birmingham and Manchester and everywhere else as well.

“I think there is a real renewed determination from Boris on that so, yes, I’m optimistic.”