Show your support for the homeless by donating a Christmas gift

A new drop-in service offering residents the opportunity to donate gifts to the homeless this Christmas has opened at Leeds Civic Hall.

Anyone wishing to donate can do so via the antechamber (courtyard entrance) area of the civic hall during normal working hours. All of the gifts donated will be given to St George’s Crypt, who throughout the year provides a wide-range of support and accommodation to the homeless.

Example of gifts that could be provided includes:

● Non-perishable food – Coffee, sugar, tinned meat, tuna, tinned tomatoes, cereals, rice, self-raising flour and cooking oil.

● Toiletries – Toothpaste, toothbrushes, shower gel (not soap), spray deodorant.

Household – Toilet rolls, soap powder (not liquid).

● Gifts – Small items that can be given out as Christmas or birthday present like: - puzzle books/adult colouring books, toiletry sets, new socks, new boxer shorts (medium size) and chocolates.

Ahead of the festive period, Cllr Julie Heselwood is also urging the people of Leeds and friends and colleagues to join her this Friday (9 December) in wearing their slippers to work as part of a national campaign by homeless charity, Shelter. Raising money for the approximate 120,000 children across the UK that will find themselves homeless this Christmas, more details on the campaign can be found at: http://www.shelter.org.uk/slippers

A variety of support and facilities are available to help the homeless in Leeds. If you are aware of anyone who may be homeless or sleeping, please contact the Leeds Street Outreach Team at: 0113 245 9445 during the daytime or out of hours’ number on 07891273939.

For more information regarding St George’s Crypt, please see: http://www.stgeorgescrypt.org.uk/charity/

Councillor Julie Heselwood, Leeds City Council’s lead member for homelessness, said:

“The slippers for Shelter campaign is a fun way to raise money for a charity who do lots of good work for people across the country who are threatened by homelessness. Thankfully in Leeds due to the proactive work between the council and our partners we are seeing some positive results in reducing homelessness; there is however still a lot of work that needs to be done, and people can be assured that with partners, a wide range of support is in place to help the most vulnerable.

“I am delighted to be able to support the work that is being done nationally by Shelter and locally by one of our key partners, St George’s Crypt. At this time of year it is important that we remember those less fortunate. I hope that these gifts will make a real difference this Christmas.”

Councillor David Nagle, Leeds City Council’s lead member for homelessness, said:

“It is heartening to see all the work that goes on to support homeless people. In Leeds we already do a lot of work to help those who are threatened with homelessness, and where people present as homeless Leeds City Council and its partners proactively work to provide support and accommodation.”

For media enquiries, please contact;

Colin Dickinson, Leeds City Council press office (0113) 39 51578

Email: colin.dickinson@leeds.gov.uk