I'm giving over today's blog for a straight up appeal for my wife Rachel's incredible work for people experiencing homelessness and everything that entails.
TV's John Thomson has voiced the video for the Caritas Advent Appeal, urging people to give at a time when the services are not only stretched, but finding it harder to raise funds while churches are closed and so many people are feeling the pinch.
Homelessness is so much more than sleeping rough or on a park bench.
When we think about homelessness, our thoughts often turn to those poor souls sleeping rough in a shop doorway or on a park bench. Of course, sadly we all know that the problem is so much greater than that. There are countless people ‘sofa surfing’ – the term given to those relying on friends, family and even casual acquaintances to put them up for a night.
And then there is the shocking statistic of ‘hidden homelessness’ affecting families, highlighted recently:
A child is made homeless every 8 minutes in Britain*. A staggering 135,000 children are living in temporary accommodation - bed and breakfasts and hostels - totally unsuitable for family life. *Source: Shelter December 2019
The short film made for the appeal features Nikki, Quinton and Rochelle telling their unique stories of homelessness. Thanks to the love and support from Caritas support workers and volunteers, they’ve transformed their lives and are looking forward with hope to a brighter future.
Due to the pandemic, the film will be shared digitally and uses the hashtag #MiracleofKindness, a direct reference to Pope Francis’ most recent encyclical, Fratelli Tutti in which he calls for kindness to be recovered because it is a ‘star shining in the darkness.’
*To give £10 Text the words BEKIND to 70460
Fundraising has been almost impossible this year. But the need for these services is greater than ever. We hope these personal stories of hope will leave an impression that calls for action and shines a light into the darkness.
Gift Aid allows us to claim 25% on your gift without it costing you a penny extra. If you are a UK tax payer, please gift aid donations.
To give £10, text the words BEKIND to 70460. *Texts cost £10 plus one standard message. You will occasionally hear updates about the impact donations have made to the lives of those we support. Text BEKINDNOINFO to give £10 if you do not wish to hear from us.
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