Humanitarian and author Terry Waite CBE is to host an anniversary fair in Landbeach to celebrate the 25th birthday of homeless charity Emmaus UK.

Ely Standard: Emmaus Cambridge.Emmaus Cambridge. (Image: Archant)

Emmaus UK President Mr Waite, who was famously held hostage in Beirut for five years in the late 1980s, will come to the charity’s Green End branch on Saturday September 10.

More than 20 Emmaus communities from across the country will join him to celebrate the charity’s anniversary, bringing with them vintage items and bric-a-brac to sell at the fair’s market.

Mr Waite said: “Twenty five years ago this year I emerged from captivity having spent almost five years chained to the wall as a hostage. Within a few weeks of my release the then-President of Emmaus UK, Archbishop Robert Runcie, introduced me to the Emmaus movement. He asked me to become involved as he believed, quite correctly, that to have spent years in difficult circumstances I would have some understanding of what many homeless people endured.

“Eventually, on a wet and windy morning I opened Emmaus Cambridge and we have never looked back. Later I succeeded Robert as President and over the years have got to know and respect those men and women who are the backbone of the movement.

“They have shown that it is possible to rise from the very depths of despair and make a creative life, not only for themselves, but for the poor and deprived of this world. I am truly proud to call them my friends.”

Live performances from the Waterbeach Brass Band, Joshua Francis, Hills Duet and Acoustopaea will also feature, and food and drink from a variety of local outlets will be on offer from 10am until 4pm.

Emmaus Cambridge currently supports 38 people, with plans to extend to 50 in the coming months.