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 8 days
£95 needed for a monthly bus pass
K is a newly granted refugee and has started English for Speakers of Other Languages classes in central London. She is very keen to gain new skills and attend classes as much as she can, though she struggles with paying for transport, as she ends up spending most of her money on that leaving her with very little for other essential things. Support towards transport would make a huge difference and allow her to attend classes more regularly so she can start building her new life in London.
£150 needed for a shed
F is a bright and resilient woman who has recently moved into a new home. She is a survivor of domestic violence and has previously experienced homelessness. F is in need of a garden shed to use as storage. It will give her a secure place to store essential household items and belongings that currently have no suitable storage space. This would help her ongoing efforts to establish stability, independence, and a sense of security after experiencing significant hardship.
£200 needed for bunk beds
Young single mother, S, has recently moved from temporary bed and breakfast accommodation into an unfurnished one-bedroom flat with her two young children, aged four and one. They are currently sharing a single bed due to a lack of furniture. Support is requested to purchase bunk beds, providing the children with a safe, comfortable place to sleep and helping to create a more stable home environment.
£195 needed for bunk bed mattresses and a wardrobe
Young single mother, S, has recently moved from temporary bed and breakfast accommodation into an unfurnished one-bedroom flat with her two young children, aged four and one. They are currently sharing a single bed due to a lack of furniture. Support is requested to purchase bunk bed mattresses and a wardrobe, giving the children a safe and comfortable place to sleep and providing essential storage to help create a stable, settled home environment.
£175 needed for a fridge
K needs a small fridge as he lives in shared accommodation and shares a fridge, the food often goes missing or is used by other people. K is an asylum seeker currently awaiting decision and is living on Migrant Help Support which does not leave enough additional income for items such as this and makes regularly replacing food very difficult and means that he is currently mainly living off dried goods. The fridge would make a big difference to his well-being.
£200 needed for a washing machine
L is currently out of work and the only household income is Universal Credit. The current machine does not work properly and with two young children under 10 this is a problem for the family. They would have to use a launderette, which isn’t affordable. L is still trying to pay off previous debts and together with household bills and food costs, they do not have funds to replace or call out an engineer to repair the washing machine. He desperately needs a new machine.
£90 needed for a mobile phone
This man is a homeless refugee. He has been homeless for more than 1 year. He is not stable mentally and very stressed. He does not have a mobile phone and this has prevented him from proving his right to rent, work and access his Universal Credit. We would appreciate the kind support to provide him a second hand mobile phone as this will improve his mental health, social wellbeing and enable him to access his benefits.
£190 needed for a laptop
J has been a recovered addict for many years. He has been working hard to rebuild his life, volunteering full time, and living in a homeless community. He is recently recovering from alcohol addiction, which has severely impacted his health, and he is living in a safe rehabilitation facility while he recovers. J would like a laptop so he can stay in contact with his partner and his support system through this process, and to keep occupied with learning and training as he moves on with his life.
£200 needed for installing a washing machine and an air fryer
It was good to be able to chat to this client who is grateful to have been recently allocated some accommodation in a new building. However the apartment is completely unfurnished. Up until now K has been living in supported accommodation with an undiagnosed type of depression. He is a pensioner and therefore has very little finances to furnish his home and few possessions of his own. A washing machine and air fryer would both be a huge help as part of settling into his new place. Many thanks.