Next weekend, 24th/25th January, there will be a special collection at all masses for ‘Serving the Homeless.‘ Due to your continuing generosity we have been able, during 2014, to purchase £200 worth of meat, milk and cheese every month to be used at the Homeless Day Centre and the other houses run by HARP. This has enabled them to provide good nourishing breakfasts and lunches throughout the year. This is in addition to the most generous donations of dried goods that we also take every week to the Centre.

We also financed (£1,900) a week-long trip for ten young clients of the centre to take part in a Trees for Life Conservation programme in Scotland which taught them many practical and life skills. It is this type of meaningful activity that can help youngsters find new meaning to their lives. We have, in addition, given £1,000 to the Southend Winter Churches programme to help them fund their overnight shelter during the winter months. On average 22 people per night seek shelter in Southend when HARP’s Night Shelter is full. We have also given £4,000 to Southend YMCA new building programme, and £3,500 to HARP for emergency funding. Thank you for your support. Jo Ronan, 'Serving the Homeless’