News

Our charity Hopestead is running its Hope at Christmas appeal for the second year, offering support to individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness this festive season.

We raised a phenomenal £1300 last year along with four vans full of food donations, sleeping bags, and thermal clothing. In addition, 50 wellbeing packs containing toiletries and food vouchers were also created and delivered to local organisations.

Several local organisations are supporting Hopestead this year, including the Ipswich Bus Shelter, FABB (Food and Beverage Buggies) in Norwich, Sanctus in Chelmsford, and Jimmy’s in Cambridge.

A spokesperson from one of the organisations Hopestead will be supporting explained the importance of delivering hampers and gift packs directly: “Individuals currently experiencing homelessness can feel uncomfortable when accessing organised food provisions. Your donation of food items to create hampers for these organisations to deliver will make a huge difference to individuals and families finding life tough this winter.”

Hopestead CEO Marie-Claire Delbrouque said: “We are pleased to launch our second Hope at Christmas appeal, following on from last year’s incredible campaign when people so generously gave to support those who were experiencing homelessness. I’m so grateful to everyone who donated last year and made our appeal such a success.

“This year’s appeal will ensure that Christmas hampers and stockings are delivered directly to those that need them, ensuring individuals, families, and children do not have to go without this Christmas.

“Once again, this year, we’re so proud to be working with such amazing organisations who are making a difference in so many ways to support individuals and families this Christmas.  These are charities, projects, and not for profit organisations that are there to lend a helping hand when it is most needed, and their support is invaluable.

“If you can help with a donation, we would be so grateful. You will be helping us to help others, and together, we can make a difference.

“No matter what time of the year, we are committed to working to alleviate homelessness across our region – it is our ambition to end homelessness. We believe everyone should have a warm, safe home.”

Help make a difference by donating in a number of ways. Hopestead has an Amazon wishlist here and a JustGiving page here, or you can drop off donations of food, clothes, and toys to Hopestead vans which will be at Flagship offices on the following dates:

• Monday 6 December - Tom Moore House, Cromer Road, North Walsham, NR28 0NB
• Tuesday 7 December - Michael Chaplin House, Station Road, Dereham, NR19 1DA
• Wednesday 8 December - Coppice House, 5 Greenwood Court, Bury St Edmunds, IP32 7GY
• Thursday 9 December - Cedar Lodge, Chiswick Avenue, Mildenhall, IP28 7BD
• Friday 10 December - Riduna Park, Melton, Woodbridge, IP12 1QT

You can also drop into our Norwich head office on King Street with donations on 10 December – our team, along with volunteers, will be picking and packing all hampers and gift boxes.