Shoppers in Brighton and Hove have been chipping in to help the homeless over Christmas and into the new year.
Brighton Housing Trust (BHT) held its annual Christmas street collection today , with a fair sprinkling of Brighton and Hove councillors wielding buckets in places like Churchill Square and St James’s Street.
BHT boss Andy Winter said: “You can always make a donation by cheque payable to BHT and sent to BHT, 144 London Road, Brighton, BN1 4PH, or online by following this link.”
The appeal helps fund the work of BHT’s day centre First Base and Mr Winter said: “Thank you to all who collected, sang and donated to the BHT street collection today.
“We did very well but still need a further £7,000 to meet our Christmas fundraising target (of £20,000).
“We can’t change the past for the men and women sleeping rough on our city’s streets. But together we can give the gift of a better future when they arrive at First Base.”
Tackling rough sleeping: Thank you to all who collected, sang and donated to the @BHT_Sussex street collection today. We did very well but still need a further £7,000 to meet our Christmas fundraising target. You can donate here https://t.co/9AGZTZWaYy pic.twitter.com/ymoW3Fp1Dm
— Andy Winter (@AndyWinterBN1) December 22, 2018
Today is one of the most important days for @BHT_Sussex to secure funds we need to work with rough sleepers at Christmas and throughout the year – our annual street collection. Look our for our collectors throughout Brighton & Hove.
Or donate online https://t.co/9AGZTZWaYy pic.twitter.com/AVumr2NoRc
— Andy Winter (@AndyWinterBN1) December 22, 2018
Mr Winter added: “A donation of £30 will fund a personal care package for a person sleeping rough.
Your donation will mean that each client will receive
• A warm welcome
• Hot meals, including a delicious Christmas dinner
• A chance to shower, freshen up and get clean clothes
• Laundry facilities
• Medical treatment, optician and podiatrist
• Expert help with mental health and addiction problems
• Advice on housing, employment and benefits
“Over the past year, 1,113 clients have made use of the services provided at First Base Day Centre, 1,089 of whom were rough sleepers.
“And 498 clients have had a full needs assessment and engaged in a full programme of structured support.
“This has resulted in 222 people being helped in accommodation.”
Last year @FirstBaseBHT helped 222 people end their rough sleeping. We provide food, showers, clothes throughout the year. We will be open on Christmas Day.
Please support the work we do at Christmas and throughout the year https://t.co/9AGZTZWaYy pic.twitter.com/zOKhwNABZx— Andy Winter (@AndyWinterBN1) December 22, 2018
No mention here, gallingly, of Hove, where in George Street today its highest sum was raised. Great talk with residents in those three hours. Hoarse now (but can still type). A friend came along to help and had been nervous about doing do, but was heartened by the reaction. So many comments, so many stories: I overheard one woman tell another, “it will be bring your own sprouts!” I said, “that’s the most surreal thing I’ve heard this morning!” That brought laughter. I have been through lacerating misery over Hove’s Carnegie Library – it was almost my end – but am glad that I can make people laugh: vital even in such circumstances as this.