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Preparing for the centenary of the Great War Sleepout and help CYCLE REPAIRS
The Swindon in the Great War project will be launched at Radnor Street the homeless
Cemetery Chapel, Swindon on Saturday 23 November, 11am to 3pm, with Winter is upon us and Threshold FREE
the first of a series of exhibitions over the next four years. Housing Link holds its annual sleep- collection &
Swindon historian Mark Sutton will display military artifacts and photo- out to support its work with home-
graphs of Swindon men who served. People who attend will receive a free less people throughout the year. delivery from
copy of Mark's book Tell Them of Us, his exhaustive record of the men who The sponsored event takes place home or work
died during the 1914 to 1918 conflict. on Friday 6 December at Immanuel The BIKE DOCTOR
There will be hot drinks, mince pies and Christmas music. Weather permit- United Reform Church, Upham Road,
ting there will be short guided walks around the chapel area, including visits Swindon from 10pm. Over 35 years experience
to the Commonwealth War Graves situated in the cemetery. Each month Threshold’s Street Servicing and repairs
Find out more at: www.swindoninthegreatwar.wordpress.com Outreach Team work with about We also sell parts & accessories
60 people, assisting them to access www.bikedoctorswindon.co.uk
For fast, friendly service, call
Free books on offer in the town centre crucial health care, obtain appropri- Phil Mitchell: 874873 day or evening
The long empty Blacks outdoor store in Havelock Square is being put to ate benefits and secure emergency or 07850 650956 (mobile)
good use as a giant charity shop and community centre called The Gate. accommodation.
Set up by the Gateway The Threshold direct access hostel,
Furniture Project in as- Culvery Court, accommodated 235
sociation with Books For homeless men last year and achieved
Free, project coordina- positive resettlement outcomes of 35
tor Dawn Prosser said: per cent. Even so people had to be
“Books For Free have turned away on 417 occasions due to
given us thousands of lack of beds, with men offered just a
books. We’re also selling blanket for the night.
good quality low cost There are many ways to assist, from
items from the Gateway gaining sponsors for the sleepout, to
Furniture warehouse, as donating money, blankets, sleeping
well as toys, clothing and bags and winter clothing, or organis-
home accessories. ing other fundraising events.
“The Gate is a huge For details and sponsor packs call
shop on three floors Dawn Prosser at The Gate Threshold on 01793 524661 or mail:
where we can both display books to Books for Free have 32 volunteer [email protected]
give away and items to sell, but also led outlets across the UK and avert www.thl.org.uk
have separate areas for a pre-school some 300,000 books a year from
children’s play area, a small cafe and being pulped. EAT FRESH, PAY LESS
a meeting room.” • The Gateway furniture project is
The Gate is open Mondays, Thurs- desperate for donations of good EVERY DAY
days and Fridays, 10am to 4pm, and quality furniture and white goods to www.hk97.co.uk
Saturdays 10am to 1pm. help equip people who are setting up
Last year Gateway Furniture pro- home but don’t have the money to
vided over 500 families with 2,200 buy new. To arrange a collection call
items of furniture and white goods. 07714 091011.

Volunteers needed to make Christmas
a good one for Swindon homeless
Swindon Christmas Care opens its doors to provide a warm shelter and
companionship over Christmas at Queens Drive Methodist Church Hall,
Park South from 11am on Christmas Eve to 11am on 28 December.
Run entirely by volunteers, tea, coffee and a friendly face will be available
24 hours a day.
The project depends entirely on the generosity of the public for dona-
tions of warm clothing and footwear, bedding, towels, toiletries and food.
Queens Drive Methodist Church hall will be open in December for delivery
of donations on:
• Saturday 7th, 10am to 3pm • Wednesday 11th, 7pm to 9.30pm
• Friday 13th, 7pm to 9.30pm • Saturday 14th, 10am to 3pm
• Tuesday 17th, 10am to 2pm • Wednesday 18th, 10am to 1pm
• Thursday 19th, 2pm to 3pm • Friday 20th, 12noon to 2pm
• Saturday 21st, 12noon to 3pm • Sunday 22nd, 2pm to 3pm
• Monday 23rd, 9am to 2pm • Tuesday 24th open all day
Items should not be left outside the church hall at other times.
The Pilgrim Centre, Regent Street is open for donations from 9 December,
Monday to Friday, 10am to 2pm. For details about volunteering or making
a donation call Patsy Maloney on 642368. CHRISTMAS HOURS: CLOSED 25th & 26th DECEMBER
www.christmascare.co.uk RE-OPEN ON 27th DECEMBER AS NORMAL
swindonlink.com • December 2013 3

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