Become a Secret Santa this St Nicholas Day, 6th December
On St Nicholas Day, 6th December, some churches in the UK, and across the globe, commemorate St Nicholas of Myra – a 4th Century Bishop from Turkey – whose journey from Saint to Santa began with his legend for secret gift giving to those in need.
The Rt. Revd. Arun Arora, Bishop of Kirkstall, has written the Archbishop of York's Advent Book Stick with Love, and the reflection today speaks of St Nicholas, and the generosity of giving secretly to those in need.
As one of the founding trustees of Acts 435, the Rt. Revd. Arun Arora said: “St Nicholas Day is an opportunity to reclaim the more secretive aspect of giving and the invitation for each of us to be a Secret Santa – perhaps through random acts of kindness and giving anonymously to people we know or through organised charities such as Acts 435.
“While still a young man Nicholas became known for his generosity to those in need, for rescuing sailors in the Aegean sea, and his concern for the destitute. His Saints Day is marked across the globe each year in different ways, not least in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and northern France, who on 6th December celebrate the festival of Sinter Klass.
“Here in the UK at a time when so many people are in need, Acts 435 puts people who want to help in touch with people who are in need, through a network of churches and local charities. Acts 435 enables virtual, online giving for specific needs. 100% of what is donated via Acts 435 goes directly to those in need. My encouragement to everyone on December 6th, and for this Christmas, is simply: “Be more St Nic!”
In many countries St Nicholas Day is celebrated by filling empty shoes with sweets, nuts and fruit but a gift through Acts 435 can make a bigger difference, helping someone in a crisis or in poverty with a specific item that they so desperately need.
Could you be "more St Nic" and give anonymously towards the specific need of someone who is in need today?
Give to an urgent need today!
The average time for a need to be fully funded is currently 5 days
£200 needed for carpet fitting
R is a disabled mum of three who has fled domestic violence. For the last three months she has been living in a hotel whilst she waits to be rehoused. Fortunately she has now been granted a property with a local landlord, but unfortunately there are no carpets or floor coverings anywhere in the house. R is desperate to make the house a home, but she simply can't afford the high cost of carpets. We have an amazing offer of free carpets but we just need a little help fitting them.
£180 needed for a microwave, airfryer and oyster top-up
M is a migrant who has been destitute but now thankfully he has been given permission to stay in the UK. He has kidney failure and needs dialysis 2/3 times a week so has had to give up work. The migrant centre helped him to claim benefits and he has found a place to stay. He is trying very hard to remain as healthy as possible and would love to have an airfryer and a microwave to help him do this. He has appointments to go to for his health and for advice so he also needs an oyster top-up.
£100 needed for a mobile phone
M is a single woman and asylum seeker from Ethiopia who was using an old phone a friend gave her, but now it has become a nightmare. It is resetting itself, deleting important files, the battery doesn't last at all, and showing low memory space all the time, forcing her to delete other important documents she needs for her asylum case. M needs your help to replace her phone desperately, and begs for your understanding in her hard times.
£120 needed for a Bengali interpreter
A has minimal English language. We at Christians Against Poverty are scheduled to assess her financial situation and, in order to proceed with the debt help, we need to ensure she fully understands the paperwork she is signing and understands the information we require from her regarding her income and expenses. We had used a volunteer but we have been unsuccessful in arranging the follow up appointment in this instance. Please can you help us to arrange an interpreter.
£200 needed for a door and door frames
This single mum of two children in North Tyneside is living in a house where her ex-partner has caused so much damage to the property. The family is in need of an internal door that he pulled off the door frame, and replacement door frames that he damaged, as well as the necessary equipment to repair these things and paint for the timber door frames. Mum is on her own, has rent arrears and no spare money to repair or replace these things.
£200 needed for a living room carpet
Our client has fled domestic abuse and just been housed in a new property without any flooring. They are trying hard to rebuild their life after fleeing and have found themselves in a new area, away from their support network. We would like to support our client with a new carpet for their lounge to help them in their fresh start. Please can you help?
£200 needed for a fridge freezer
M is a single lady living in a council bungalow. She is a long-term cancer sufferer and spent nine months in hospital last year. She is unable to work and receives Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payments. M's fridge freezer has stopped working and is beyond repair. She needs it not just for storing food but also for her medications. M is unable to afford a replacement herself so if you are able to help with this purchase, that would be brilliant. Thank you.
£150 needed for a television
We have met a young care experienced person who has moved into his new property, is currently on his own for the first time in a while and is struggling with this. His television is currently broken and he would really appreciate having a new one to provide some distraction while he builds his independent life and tries to make his flat a home.
£200 needed for a bedroom carpet
Our client has fled domestic abuse and just been housed in a new property without any flooring. They are trying hard to rebuild their life after fleeing, and have found themselves in a new area, away from their support network. We would like to support our client with a new carpet for their bedroom to help them in their fresh start. Please can you help?