Help bring Christmas cheer to homeless and needy people in Hastings and Rother

Usually the volunteer led organisation lays on a Christmas Day and Boxing Day meal and celebration for people at the Salvation Army hall in Hastings. But the pandemic has forced it to take a different approach this year.

Trustee Megan Skinner explained: “We have been helping vulnerable and homeless people in Hastings and Rother for a great many years but 2020 presents us with our most difficult year yet.

“Covid 19 means our focus will have to change dramatically, whilst continuing to cope with the undoubted increased need for our help. This year, we plan to distribute in excess of 700 Christmas hampers for the most vulnerable in our area through nominations by local Government agencies.

“Safeguarding our volunteers will be vital - social distancing measures will be in place and carefully observed, and although we welcome every bit of help offered, there will be restrictions on what we can do, and the amount of volunteers we can welcome.

“We are disappointed we cannot provide the level of Christmas cheer for which we have become renowned, and it is with great sadness that we have had to cancel our normal two day event over Christmas Day and Boxing Day. We are focusing on providing the greatest good with fewer resources and within the scope of Government guidelines.

“Due to the need to keep both volunteers and the people we help safe, this year we are not accepting donations of gifts, toys, clothing and groceries.

“Covid has meant we have not been able to have any of our fundraising events this year, so we are already drawing on our reserves, and with expenditure likely to be far in excess of a normal year we would particularly welcome monetary donations. Any help in this area would be so much appreciated - donations online or by cheque would be very welcome.

“Another good way to help would be to sponsor a hamper, at £35: the hampers bring Christmas cheer to many families, and will feed a family of four. Whatever you can do to help, no matter how small, will support many of our most vulnerable residents.

“You may donate via bank transfer, using Account name: Surviving Christmas Sort Code 09 01 28 Account number 95632396. Or via our crowdfunder, www.crowdfunder.co.uk/surviving-christmas-2020.

Keep in touch via Facebook and our website. www.survivingchristmas.co.uk,

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