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 a cooking course plus ingredients
This lady, who is a regular at our centre, struggles with severe learning disabilities and has shown remarkable determination to rebuild her life. We have been working closely with her, and other organisations, to support her main goal of reuniting with her children who were placed in care at a young age. To empower this lady's independence and strengthen her parenting skills, we seek your support to enrol her in an eight week cooking course and provide ingredients afterward, enabling her to practice her new skills.
£200 needed for a sofa, wardrobe and small drawer
This woman, who is a long-time user of our services, due to severe physical and mental health challenges, recently moved into a flat with no furniture or essentials, except a fridge. The lack of basic items is worsening her mental health. We recently secured a washing machine for her, but she still urgently needs a sofa, wardrobe and small drawer. Your assistance would greatly improve this woman's living conditions and wellbeing, providing much needed stability and comfort in her new home.
£200 needed for equipment for a Media and Make-up course
This single parent, who is getting over a recent heart operation, is in significant debt and threatened with eviction. Her daughter, aged sixteen, has ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and autism. Her daughter's aim in life is to become a make-up artist in film or television. This girl is on a Media and Make-up course, but mum cannot afford food, let alone the pack of make-up, specialised brushes and equipment the course specifies. Please can you help her daughter to train for a career that would enable her to be independent and find her place in society?
£200 needed for a second-hand bed and sofa
M is a single mother of two children who has finally found unfurnished accommodation after a long suffering story. Mum stayed for a long period without access to public funds which caused her to be in debt. M, who has a new born baby and so cannot currently work, requests your help to assist and support her so she can by a bed and a sofa for her rented accommodation.
£180 needed for a washing machine
S, who worked with us last year to go debt free, has been saving and managing her money much better. She was proud she had bought Christmas Presents, kept the house warm and had not gone into debt, very different to previous years. Her washing machine has just broken and, as she has not been able to save up again, is currently having to take her washing to her mum's house, who she helps look after, following a stroke. S is finding this difficult as she doesn't drive and it's taking a toll on her mental health.
£200 needed for furniture storage
M is an asylum seeker who has been evicted from his accommodation, has been classed as homeless and has been placed in temporary accommodation. He has nowhere to put some of his larger items of furniture and needs to place them in storage whilst he waits for housing to become available. M, who is very isolated and has no family around him, is not able to afford the costs of the storage on his limited income. He would really appreciate any support given.
£200 needed for rugs for the children's bedrooms
A is married and has three children aged thirteen, nine and five, the youngest of whom has autism. They lived in rented accommodation for twelve years and were evicted due to the landlord selling. The council has placed them in temporary accommodation which has two bedrooms in a high rise block. The bedrooms have floorboards which are rough and cause splinters in the children’s feet. A's husband has started a plastering business and A work three days a week at Next.
£150 needed for a washing machine
This lady is having to move from private accommodation to a social housing flat. All appliances were included in the previous flat, but she has none in the new one. This lady is reliant on Universal Credit and has a small toddler with health issues. She desperately needs a washing machine.
£175 needed for an electric cooker
E and her partner have been without a cooker for over eighteen months since it suddenly stopped working. They are unable to replace it because they are on benefits and have a low income. In fact, E and her partner have had to recently access a food bank for a food parcel to help their situation. They have been using a microwave since their cooker broke, which often means they are buying more expensive and less healthy food. Help from Acts would make an enormous difference to their wellbeing.