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Bringing Christmas joy to the homeless
This year's Charnwood Christmas Shelter opens its doors to the
region's homeless, who otherwise would be spending the festive season living
rough on the streets, on December 21, providing food, accommodation and comfort
for the next fourteen days.
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This year's Charnwood Christmas Shelter opens its doors to the
region's homeless, who otherwise would be spending the festive season living
rough on the streets, on December 21, providing food, accommodation and comfort
for the next fourteen days.
The campaign to raise the necessary cash to run the Shelter has
been given a kick-start by Loughborough's medicine research and development
company AstraZeneca R & D Charnwood which has donated c. £2,000,
twice the amount it gave last year.
"We are very grateful to AstraZeneca for continuing to support
us with another generous donation and we hope that its example prompts other
local companies to step forward with donations," said organiser Dettie
Wallington. "Sponsoring a single person for the duration of the Shelter
requires c. £340 while bed and food for just one day can be provided
for just c. £25."
"These costs are based on the total cost of running the Shelter
including the hire of some equipment such as portable showers and toilets," she
said. "In addition to providing warmth, beds and food we will again have a
doctor, dentist, chiropodist and a drug advice counsellor and this year, we
intend to have various organised activities."
The Shelter's day centre will be in Emmanuel Church Old Hall
with the night centre in Trinity Methodist Church Hall. Last year 55 people
attended with 37 staying overnight.
"In addition to money, we have an urgent need for donations of
food, clothing and toiletries and a special need for clean duvets. It takes
around 100 people to run the Shelter for the two weeks and we desperately
require more volunteers to come forward, even if only for a short time during
the Christmas period," said Dettie Wallington.
"Christmas is a joyous time for families - let us help make it
equally joyous for those unfortunates who find themselves, often through no
fault of their own, living on the streets of the region."
Anyone able to help or donate should contact Dettie on
Loughborough 261566.
Ends
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Further enquiries to:
Gill Hilsdon
Public Relations Department
AstraZeneca R & D
Charnwood
Bakewell road
Loughborough
Leics. LE11 5RH
01509 64 40 00
gill.hilsdon@astrazeneca.com
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