A leading homeless charity has launched an urgent appeal to support families waking up in emergency accommodation this Christmas morning.
Cross-border charity, Depaul, which supports people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, is urging people to keep those who are most vulnerable in society 'in mind' as they plan for their festive celebrations.
This year’s appeal will send the message that those children in Depaul’s temporary accommodation services shouldn’t worry, as Santa has them in mind this Christmas, so even if they’re not in their forever home - he will make sure to find them.
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The issue has never been more pronounced as more than 55,500 people, including over 5,100 children, are experiencing homelessness in Northern Ireland with many families facing their second or third Christmas in what was intended to be temporary homeless accommodation.
The appeal is encouraging the public and companies to support Depaul’s Christmas campaigns which includes putting a small, personal gift from Santa in the hand of every child, woman and man in Depaul’s homeless services this Christmas morning and also to enable Depaul to provide a little Christmas cheer, including Christmas dinner, for those accessing one of their 42 homeless services over this period.
David Carroll, CEO of Depaul, said: “This is a really important time of year for Depaul and supporting children and families in our services at Christmas is particularly key for us. Never has the issue been so pronounced. Day in and day out we are seeing the impact that emergency accommodation is having on children in particular.
“They are being uprooted from friends, living in temporary accommodation, and going to bed at night not knowing when they will have a home they can call their own and a permanent roof over their heads.”
Mr Carroll added: “This Christmas, we want to do everything we can to bring some small sense of Christmas spirit into their lives even if they are not in their forever home. With the help of the public we can do that. For example, for as little as £3.54, not much more than the cost of a Christmas card, we can provide a traditional dinner at Christmas, delivered with care, which has the power to make someone experiencing homelessness feel safe and warm this Christmas Day.
“And by donating for example between £15 and £25, you can become a Depaul Secret Santa by sponsoring a small but thoughtful gift for a child or adult facing into Christmas and the New Year without a place to call home.”
To donate, visit https://ie.depaulcharity.org/donate/.
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