People In East Anglia Asked to Help Spread ‘Hope at Christmas’

• The Hope at Christmas appeal has been launched to support people who are experiencing homelessness this winter; • It builds on last year’s inaugural Hope at Christmas campaign, and once again, people can donate food, thermal clothing, toys, and money in a number of ways; • Donations will be used to create hampers and stockings that can be delivered directly to individuals and families. People across East Anglia are being asked to help spread Hope at Christmas and donate to an appeal that will once again be offering support to individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness this festive season. It is the second year that the Hope at Christmas appeal has been run by Hopestead, the charity which aims to end homelessness in the east of England, and builds on the success of last year’s campaign when £1,300 was raised along with four van loads of food donations, sleeping bags and thermal clothing. In addition, 50 wellbeing packs containing toiletries and food vouchers were also created and delivered to local organisations. Some of the local organisations which the Hopestead 2021 Christmas appeal will benefit are:

• The Bus Shelter Ipswich
• FABB (Food and Beverage Buggies), Norwich
• Sanctus Chelmsford
• Jimmy’s in Cambridge

A spokesperson from one of the organisations which Hopestead will be supporting explained the importance of delivering hampers and gift packs directly: “Individuals currently experiencing homelessness can feel uncomfortable when accessing organised food provisions. Your donation of food items to create hampers for these organisations to deliver will make a huge difference to individuals and families finding life tough this winter.” This year, people will be able to donate a range of food, clothing and toys items that will be used to create hampers and gift packs that will be delivered directly to individuals and families in East Anglia. This will ensure that they reach people experiencing homelessness who may face barriers when accessing organised food provisions. Members of the public can donate in a number of ways:

• Purchase items from Hopestead’s Amazon Wishlist, live until 5th December:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/36EWZD90RCKXX?ref_=wl_share
• Provide monetary donations via Hopestead’s Just Giving account: Donate – Donation amount – JustGiving
• Or, drop off donations of food, clothes, and toys to a Hopestead van which will be located at Flagship offices between 10-11am on the following days:
  • Monday 6 December – Tom Moore House, Cromer Road, North Walsham, NR28 0NB
  • Tuesday 7 December – Michael Chaplin House, Station Road, Dereham, NR19 1DA
  • Wednesday 8 December – Coppice House,  5 Greenwood Court, Bury St Edmunds, IP32 7GY
  • Thursday 9 December – Cedar Lodge, Chiswick Avenue, Mildenhall, IP28 7BD.

People can also drop into Hopestead’s King Street, Norwich head office with donations on 10 December when the team – including volunteers – will be picking and packing all hampers and gift boxes. Marie-Claire Delbrouque, MD of Hopestead, said: “We are pleased to launch our second Hope at Christmas appeal, following on from last year’s incredible campaign when people so generously gave to support those who were experiencing homelessness. I’m so grateful to everyone who donated last year and made our appeal such a success. “This year’s appeal will ensure that Christmas hampers and stockings are delivered directly to those that need them, ensuring individuals, families, and children do not have to go without this Christmas. “Once again, this year, we’re so proud to be working with such amazing organisations who are making a difference in so many ways to support individuals and families this Christmas.  These are charities, projects, and not for profit organisations that are there to lend a helping hand when it is most needed, and their support is invaluable. “If you can help with a donation, we would be so grateful. You will be helping us to help others, and together, we can make a difference. “No matter what time of the year, we are committed to working to alleviate homelessness across our region – it is our ambition to end homelessness. We believe everyone should have a warm, safe home. Last year, The Ipswich Night Shelter received a £500 donation through the Hope at Christmas appeal and Claire Jessup, Housing Manager with Selig, which runs the shelter said: “We are so grateful to Hopestead for their donation of £500 which allowed us to buy slippers and nightwear for our guests. When our guests first arrive at the night shelter we give them a welcome pack which includes new slippers and pyjamas. These basic home comforts help to make a guest feel welcome, comfortable and accepted.  Thank you Hopestead!” And Wintercomfort for the homeless was another recipient of a donation.  Melody Brooker, Fundraising and Communications Manager said: “Hopestead’s very generous donation of £500 along with items of clothing for our homeless service users in December 2020 were a fantastic boost to our welfare costs at a time of great challenge amid the Covid pandemic and lockdown restrictions. “Christmas 2020 was an especially big challenge but, with the help of generous supporters including Hopestead, we were able to prepare and deliver special Christmas meals and gifts to all of our services users. We are incredibly grateful for Hopestead’s generosity and ongoing support of our work.” You can find out more by visiting www.hopestead.org or Hopestead on Twitter @_hopestead or Instagram @hopesteadcharity and Facebook Hopestead | Facebook