Krept and Konan. Pic: Crepes and Cones

The Croydon rap duo Krept and Konan – also known as Casyo Johnson and Karl Wilson – provided 50 meals to the homeless in The Queens Gardens, Croydon last Sunday.

The meals came from their restaurant, Crepes and Cones, which opened in May last year.

They worked in collaboration with The Home Campaign who are behind the project Essen and Chill, which focuses on feeding the homeless with the help of caterers and restaurants all across London.

It was set up by Croydon resident of 10 years, Thelma Gossel, who spent time sleeping rough back in 2016. She said: “It was the worst period in my life. I lost everything. My value, faith, love and family.”

Gossel says it was her faith in God and her experiences that pushed her into creating this project.

She told Eastlondonlines: “It was really eye-opening. The homeless people were so delighted to have hot food as they weren’t expecting it and they were so surprised to see Krept and Konan.”

“I think what stood out the most was that the boys were so welcoming, and they related with the homeless people so much. It was so much more than just giving out food.”

“The whole purpose behind this project is love, hospitality and unity. I believe that if we can come together as a community to help the homeless and show them this great love, a lot of things could change,” she added.

According to the Croydon Council’s 2018 Homelessness Review and Strategy, there are 234 rough sleepers in the area, making it the second highest homeless population in the boroughs of outer London.

In a statement the rappers posted on the restaurant’s Instagram account, they said: “We dropped off 50 meals to the homeless in Queens Park Croydon tonight. [The homeless] gather there 365 days no matter the weather.”

“If you are in a position to ever help, any donations would be more than welcome especially hot food, coats and sleeping bags.”