Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
DAILY MIRROR CHRISTMAS APPEAL YOU
CHRISTMAS should be a joyous time of presents, food, family and entertainment.
But this year, many families are facing a bleak festive season.
They are worried about how they will pay bills and heat their homes – and that is why we are calling on warm-hearted Mirror readers to help ensure nobody is left out in the cold this winter.
This year, our Christmas Appeal is for the Warm Welcome project, which offers cosy community spaces.
Hundreds of Warm Welcome venues are opening their doors across the UK – for free.
They include libraries, places of worship, community centres and small businesses.
Your support will help pay for the cost of heating the buildings and, where possible, provide food, hot drinks and toys for children.
More than 16 million people will be in fuel poverty this winter, meaning they cannot afford to heat their homes to an adequate temperature.
A survey found 40% of households will be living in cold homes this winter due to soaring energy costs. But thanks to Warm Welcome those people – both young and old – will have a place where they can keep warm, and find support and friendship.
Backing our appeal, former Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: “I want to thank Mirror readers for supporting Warm Welcome. When things have been difficult, Mirror readers have stepped in and stepped up.”
Warm Welcome is coordinated by the Good Faith Partnership and supported by groups such as the Salvation Army, Libraries Connected, Muslim Council of Britain, Neighbourly, Christians Against Poverty, Acts 435, Safe Families, Edge Ministries and the Together Coalition.
Isobel Hunter, head of Libraries Connected, said: “We’re proud to be a partner of the Warm Welcome network, which plays such a vital role.” Dr Eli Gardner, co-founder of Kids Matter, added: “Places for families to go that are local, warm and welcoming will make a big difference.” mirrornews@mirror.co.uk @Dailymirror
VOICE OF THE MIRROR: PAGE 10 Find your nearest centre or volunteer at warmwelcome.uk
Nottingham to be closer to my son. I was hoping for a transfer but I couldn’t get one. I’m on Universal Credit… it makes you feel guilty. We’re all trying to ride the storm together.”
Mum-of-five Kayleigh Ramsay, 31, adds: “I’m going hungry because my kids come first. I make sure they are fed first.
“My gas and electricity was £74, now it is £350.
“I’m not going to put my heating on but we shouldn’t have to be living like this. There needs to be more help.
“We’re all sitting there in our onesies… I feel belittled. I feel like I’m failing in my duty as a parent. I’m struggling between paying the bills and the rent. I’m behind on my rent.” One 62-year-old man, who did not wish to be named, told how he had been made homeless last year.
He says: “I spent last winter sleeping in my car. I then went to a night shelter and now I finally have my own place but everything has gone up sky-high.
“I’m on UC and get £440 which I use on food and bills. I’m too scared to turn the heating on and run the risk of a big bill, which will take me years to pay off.
“This has probably been the worst I’ve seen.
“Why are the mega rich not getting taxed like us? It is unfair I’m being taxed on my pension. We’re all being penalised.
“I took a private pension out. I stopped working because of an accident, I was self-employed. Before this I worked in the mines. I never thought I would be in this place.”
Helen Lloyd, the food bank manager, says: “The main concern for many is keeping up with the bills. They come here because they can’t afford food.”
Helen, who has been working at the food bank for more than a decade, believes the £400 energy discount helps, but she has never seen things so bad before.
She adds: “The dynamic of people we see is so varied now, from in-work poverty, to families and those on benefit deductions.
“We have people on prepayment meters who top up but quickly get disconnected because there is debt on there that needs paying.”
Nearby, Gio, 76, and his wife Barbara, 81, have come to the church to get cosy for the first time. Barbara says: “We only put the heating on twice a day and we always go for things on special offer when shopping. Saving that bit of money does make a difference
“We are dipping into our savings, which we have never had to do before.”
Former care worker Carla has already told her children that this won’t be a great Christmas.
The mum-of-four had a tough time getting through October after having to quit her care worker job due to ill health. She has only recently been discharged from hospital.
Carla says: “This last month has been hard. We’ve had no gas or electricity.
“This is my first time here. My rent is over £600 and I’m not getting the full Universal Credit so this month has been the hardest.
“The children know they won’t be getting anything for Christmas.”
The kids know they won’t be getting anything for Christmas USER OF THE KETTLE’S ON GROUP