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 2 days
£200 needed for a washing machine
J has two young children under the age of four and is on her own. She has just moved into a housing association property, but has no white goods. J has managed to buy a second-hand fridge freezer, but cannot afford a washing machine. We are grateful for your support for this family. The local electrical appliance company will supply and fit it promptly.
£200 needed for carpet fitting
L is caring for her grandchild who has complex health issues and needs regular hospital appointments in Leeds. This is putting a huge strain on L's finances, coupled with the fact that they have recently had to move to a larger house to accommodate their grandchild. The new property has no carpets down and is cold, damp and unsafe. Social services has raised this as a safety issue that needs dealing with as soon as possible. Please could our kind donors help us to keep this family safe?
£160 needed for an orthopaedic mattress
C, who is struggling financially to make ends meet, has not been working as she has been battling severe back pain and has been unable to work lately. She has been managing with her Universal Credit to cover all bills and food, but barely has nothing left. C has been advised to get an orthopaedic mattress by the occupational therapist to support with her back, but cannot afford it now and needs our support to meet this.
£200 needed for a washing machine
L has had a tough few years and has recently relocated areas, meaning he has a limited support network around him and is struggling to make ends meet. He is in the midst of trying to find permanent paid employment, now that he has relocated. L's washing machine has unfortunately broken, just before Christmas. £200 would allow us to provide a voucher for him to buy a replacement which will hopefully help towards his job search by allowing him to be able to wash his clothing.
£200 needed for lounge and stairs carpets
Our client lives with his small family and has been unable to work due to the worsening of a physical condition which has rendered him disabled. He is on a very low income and has not long moved into this property that had carpets removed by the housing association. The client regularly falls, due to nerve damage, and has on more than one occasion seriously hurt his face falling onto floorboards and concrete. He has managed to carpet some rooms, but with your help we can complete the lounge and stairs.
£200 needed for an electric cooker
M is a single dad to three children living who are living in a small flat. He is unable to work at present due to poorly controlled type 1 diabetes and its associated health issues. M is dependent on basic benefits and has no savings or any other financial help. The family needed two new beds and bedding, which have been provided by Home Church Torquay. In addition, the cooker is irreparably broken, due to its age. The family is surviving by cooking with an air-fryer currently, and desperately needs a new cooker.
£120 needed for a laptop
Our friend, who is seeking sanctuary in the UK from Kenya, needs a laptop for his college assignments. He is very committed to is studying for his Construction Skills Certification Scheme certificate and is also studying IT, so a working laptop is really essential for him.
£200 needed for a washing machine
F suffers from fibromyalgia which has left her unable to work and, in turn, has led to her struggling financially. She is using a low-cost food pantry to be able to afford food, and even so, her benefits barely cover her basic costs each week. F has no washing machine and finds it very difficult, not to mention expensive, to carry her washing to the launderette, and hand washing clothes is very painful. Your support to buy a washing machine would really help her daily life.
£200 needed for a fridge freezer
After suffering a breakdown, V was allowed to leave hospital after months of therapy, only to discover when she got home that her fridge freezer had stopped working and the food had rotted inside. V, who cannot afford to replace the fridge freezer as she only receives benefits, now has to ask her neighbour to go to the shops for her daily to get fresh food and she is feeling like a burden to her neighbour. V has older children, but they work during the day an V is reluctant to ask them. Thank you!