Appeal by Worthing charity to give the gift of a festive meal to town’s homelessness this Christmas

A Worthing homeless charity is appealing to the public to donate £35 to enable a homeless man or woman to ‘pull up a chair’ around the Christmas table – providing them a festive meal, company, warmth and support during the festive period.
Turning Tides Pull Up a Chair campaignTurning Tides Pull Up a Chair campaign
Turning Tides Pull Up a Chair campaign

Turning Tides, which supports hundreds of people throughout the year, has said donations from kind-hearted members of the public will also enable people who are homeless to have a hot shower and fresh clean clothes.

The charity, based at the town hall, said that those living on the street, sleeping in a cold dark alleyway, taking shelter in the woods or constantly on the move for fear of being abused are often not looking forward to the next day, let alone Christmas.

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Chief executive John Holmstrom said: “Christmas is often the toughest time for people are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Physically, financially and emotionally it represents a real and desperate challenge.

“Nearly half of our clients have a mental health diagnosis. We must never underestimate how essential support services, such as ours are.

Paul a previous client of Turning Tides often felt ‘despised, avoided or even abused’ whilst living on the streets.

He said ‘any small act of kindness or human warmth’ provided such a ‘valuable form of sustenance to a suffering homeless person’.

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The charity said members of the public, businesses, community groups can now individually and collectively show people whose lives have deteriorated into homelessness compassion this Christmas.

For £35 you can ‘pull up a chair’ or for £70 two chairs, for a homeless man or woman in your community to help them feel safe, warm and cared for.

Lucy Knowles, community fundraising manager, said: “This is the season of giving and what better way to make a difference with your pounds than to secure a place for someone around our dining table.

For our clients, knowing they can be safe and warm indoors away from the coldest weather of the year, being assured a hot healthy meal to eat in comfort with company and support to find the belief in themselves a brighter future is ahead of them is vital. For some, it could be the first step out of homelessness.”

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You can make a donation over the phone on 01903 680740 or online at www.justgiving.com/campaign/Pull-Up-A-Chair-Appeal

For more information call Turning Tides on 01903 680740, email [email protected] or pop along to its office at Worthing Town Hall, open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.

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