Page 2 - link magazine

Spare a thought and some time for the homeless this festive season

Threshold Housing Link are holding
their annual sleepout event on
Friday 4 December at Immanuel
United Reform Church, Upham
Road to raise vital funds to support
homeless people around the town.
Everyone can make a meaningful
contribution by joining in to show
solidarity with the homeless, raise
funds to support Threshold’s work
and to give a small insight into
what it feels like to sleep rough.
However, Threshold have said that
they ‘are not attempting to recreate More than 2,309 people a night sleep rough across the UK - Photo credit: Marc Brüneke/Flickr
the experience of rough sleeping’
and will aim to keep volunteers safe reality faced by some homeless
and secure. people each night in Swindon. Every Call for caring Christmas volunteers
The last sleepout event in 2014 pound raised goes to supporting
raised an impressive £10,000, which our Street Outreach Team who Swindon Christmas Care will Friday 18th, 7pm to 9pm
helped to fund the charity’s Street work with homeless people on the again provide temporary shelter Saturday 19th, 10am to 3pm
Outreach Team. Threshold hope to streets helping them to get into for homeless and lonely people Sunday 20th, 12noon to 2pm
raise the same amount this year. accommodation, access health care and those in need from 11am on Thursday 24th open all day
CEO Cher Sawyer-Smith MBE or benefits.” Thursday 24 December to 11am on Food, bedding, clothing, toiletries
said: “‘This is a very important To register for a place, obtain Monday 28 December at Queen’s and cash are also required.
annual event for Threshold, not a sponsorship pack or find out Drive Methodist Church Hall, Park For details about volunteering
only in terms of fundraising but more call 01793 524661 or email South. or making a donation call Patsy
also because it makes people more [email protected]. Run entirely by volunteers, tea, Moloney on 01793 642368 or visit
aware of our services and the great If you’re unable to take part make coffee and a friendly face will be www.christmascare.co.uk
need for them for those local people a donation to the charity at www. available 24 hours a day. Queens l Runvember anyone? Turn to
who are unfortunate to become virginmoneygiving.com/charities/thl Drive Methodist Church Hall will page 30 to find out how ultra-
homeless. £1 pays for a meal and £10 pays be open in December for delivery of fit Alan Butler has been making
“By sleeping out our supporters for a meal, wash facilities and a bed donations on: everyone run at least a mile a day
gain a better understanding of the for the night. Saturday 12th, 10am to 3pm for Swindon Christmas Care.

2 swindonlink.com n December 2015