Markets visitors urged to donate to homeless fund
COLLECTIONS for the Big Change homeless fund will be at Manchester’s Christmas markets this year and visitors will be able to offer their support to help homeless people this festive season.
Official collectors will be at the entrances of the Christmas markets site with their yellow buckets from next Saturday.
Council staff and volunteers from the city’s Homeless Partnership will be helping to collect donations until the markets close on Saturday, December 22, and the following day in Albert Square. Last year the Christmas Market collections raised more than £4,500 for the Big Change homeless fund.
The Big Change campaign is a central fund for more than 20 charities, with support from Manchester council and CityCo, which has helped hundreds of people move their lives forwards and begin to build an independent life away from the streets.
The Big Change fund supports individuals who are homeless by paying for items they need – from a deposit for a home to clothes for a job interview, furnishings for a new flat or travel costs.
The fund has already collected more than £220,000 in donations and supported more than 1,500 people through grants.
Coun Sue Murphy, deputy leader of Manchester council, said: “We know people are concerned about the plight of people who are homeless and it’s a concern we share and are working hard to address.
“Helping people to move forwards is not just about putting a roof over their heads, it’s also about giving them the help and support to address issues which have contributed to them finding themselves without a home in the first place and helping them make positive changes to their lives.
“Any cash which kind-hearted visitors to the Christmas markets can spare will be one of the greatest gifts they can give this Christmas and will be spent on helping to rebuild lives and ending homelessness.”
Coun Pat Karney, the council’s Christmas spokesman, said: “It’s fantastic that the Christmas markets are doing their bit for the Big Change fund this year, and I would also like to thank the many volunteers who are giving their time to support homelessness this festive season.”
Donations can also be made online at www.streetsupport.net/ manchester/bigchangemcr, where you can find out more about the fund’s work.