Christmas campaign is off to a flying start

The campaign, launched last week, has seen a host of warm winter wear donated to the Herald & Gazette, which will be given to Age UK West Sussex and Worthing Churches Homeless Projects.

Worthing Lions Club will now be accepting donations of warm clothing – such as hats, scarves, coats and gloves – on behalf of our appeal in aid of the two good causes.

Marian Down, from the Worthing Lions, said: “We have helped Worthing Churches Homeless Projects in the past, where they have been the recipient of our Christmas street collection, so it is good to be able to help them again.

“With winter fast approaching, the clients of Worthing Churches Homeless Projects need as much support as possible, and we are pleased to be able to help. Older members of the community have always been a priority for Worthing Lions, so, again, we are glad to be supporting Age UK West Sussex. With fuel bills set to rocket this year, it is imperative that pensioners have warm clothing to stave off the cold and again we can help provide this”

Andrew Briggs, 53, was homeless for few months in 2011, and knows all too well the importance of keeping warm in winter.

He said: “I would urge people to look in their wardrobes, and if there are any clothes they haven’t worn in the last year and they don’t think they’ll wear them in the next year, they really should donate them. A layer of clothing is one more layer against hypothermia.

“I was only on the streets for a few months, but that was in winter and it was pretty bleak. I had a car at the time so I could kip in that. I spent most of my time trying to keep warm. It was pretty rotten.”

Through the help of Worthing Churches Homeless Projects and various other organisations, Andrew is currently taking a course in book-keeping, as well as carrying out voluntary work for the charity Link to Hope.

Jill Beech, 50, of Olliver Acre, Littlehampton, picked up a coat for her mum from the Tamarisk centre, in Beach Road, Littlehampton, during the last campaign, which she said was ‘like new’ and ‘lovely’.

She said: “I think it’s a really great idea.”