6 December 2007:
Thames Reach has launched its Christmas appeal to help transform the lives of thousands of vulnerable people trying to escape the misery of homelessness.
Jeremy Swain, Thames Reach Chief Executive, explained the timing of the campaign and its aims.
“December is a challenging time for us as the weather worsens, the nights draw in and the pavements and back-alleys of London become increasingly daunting and miserable places for people sleeping rough.
“Meanwhile, for many of the men and women living in our hostels and supported housing, as well as the thousands we support in housing association flats across London, the festive season only serves to remind them of their separateness from the rest of us; families are often distant and money to buy presents and a few treats non-existent.”
Over the next few weeks, Thames Reach has pledged to do everything it can to give homeless people the best possible Christmas.
- London Street Rescue service shifts will be maximised to help as many isolated rough sleepers as possible get off the streets. The charity will also ensure that formerly homeless people get the best possible support when they move into their new accommodation so that they don’t end up back on the streets.
- Thames Reach aims to make Christmas a special time for every single one of the people it supports – nearly 4,000 in total – by giving them a gift. It may be their only one.
- A new ‘families reunited’ pot of money will be created so that homeless people can be given the fare and support to visit and reconnect with relatives who may not, for some time, have been either their nearest or dearest.
Please help Thames Reach to make this Christmas period special for those in need.
You can do this by:
Making a donation to Thames Reach
All contributions, however small, will make a huge difference to people’s lives.
