Hope for homeless with shelter

LIKE many towns and cities in the UK,

Southport is witnessing more people sleeping rough on the streets.

Some are visible in doorways or on pavements.

Others are out of sight on park benches, derelict houses or abandoned cars. Some are temporarily homeless and are relying on the sofa of friend to get by.

Southport Christmas Shelter will be operating again this year to offer a hot meal, warmth and a bit of human kindness to anyone in need.

It relies on a small planning team and dedicated volunteers to run the project which will again be based at the Alchemy premises on Mornington Road from Sunday, December 23 to Thursday, December 27 9am to 2pm. The project co-ordinator, Ken Jones said: “People come to us for all kinds of reasons but the common factor is that they are facing serious problems or lack secure housing.

“We do what we can to help them over a difficult period at the darkest time of year.”

The shelter relies on the generosity of Southport people and donations are welcome and needed again this year.

You can send a cheque (payable to Southport Christmas Shelter) to Ken Jones, Southport Housing Centre, 68A Eastbank Street, or to Canon Dr Rod Garner, 51 Carisbrooke Drive, Southport, PR9 7JD.

Donations of food or toiletries can also be taken to the Shelter at the dates and times of opening above.