The committee of ‘Serving the Homeless’ would like to extend their thanks and Christmas greetings to all who have supported our work this year. With the help of your donations, participation in events and membership of the 200 Club, we have been able to:

Furnish 3 more rooms for Southend YMCA to house young homeless clients, ‘The Tom Moulton Suite’, and provide £2000 towards the refurbishment of their music studio.

Spend £200 per month on fresh meat, milk and cheese to provide meals at all the properties run by HARP, as well as an annual amount of £3,500 for training programmes, (80% of clients are under 25)

Collect large amounts of dried foods and clothing from participating churches each week to be given to HARP clients.

Buy 5 vacuum cleaners and an industrial washing machine /tumble dryer for the night shelter.

Support the development of the ‘White Heather House’ to accommodate 18 homeless women.

Provide another £1500 to support the Churches Winter Shelter programme.

Provide 25 sleeping bags, bag liners, roll mats, pillows, pillow cases and fleece blankets to Leigh Road Baptist Church to set up a new night shelter.

Provided monthly donations to Oasis Café, Leigh to buy ‘suspended’ meals for the homeless.

In all we have spent £16,000 on your behalf this year. We invite you to join us on Friday 16th December at 7pm at Our Lady of Lourdes Church for a short Carol Service, followed by mince pies and mulled wine in the Parish Centre. Wishing you a very happy Christmas and New Year. (The raffle for a bottle of Dom Perignon Champagne(retailing £125-140) will be drawn.)

Jo Ronan