Become a Secret Santa this St Nicholas Day, 6th December
On St Nicholas Day, 6th December, Churches in England 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 today 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 13 days
£200 needed for a fridge freezer
H has a health condition, resulting from an accident, and was in hospital when we spoke. His capacity to work is limited because of this and he does receive Personal Independence Payment. Although he also receives Universal Credit, his benefits stopped for four months, due to an account problem which created rent arrears for him. A debt team is helping him with this. H said the fridge freezer has not been working for a while and he can't afford to replace it. He would be very grateful for your help. Thank you for reading this.
£200 needed for school uniforms
This family of refugees includes five children, four of whom are starting school very soon. The children need uniforms, shoes, PE kits, rucksacks and pencil cases, but the family has no money to buy these for them. We are asking for £200 for school uniforms. Thank you so much for your help.
£150 needed for food and energy costs
A, his wife and their two young children are struggling with the rise of the cost of living and finding it increasingly difficult to feed themselves and heat their home, especially as the weather starts to get colder. They have amassed some debt, which they have sought help with from their local Citizens Advice. Whilst they receive help with their debt and hopefully get back on track, could you please consider helping this family with some funds towards food and energy? Thank you.
£200 needed for a child's bedroom carpet
J and her young son have recently moved to a new flat where they had very little furniture and no flooring. We have supplied furniture, but would appreciate your support in providing carpets. Her son, who has autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), runs around a lot. This is resulting in complaints from neighbours about the noise, which mum is very anxious about. J, who works part-time whilst her son is at school, would be really grateful for your support in providing a child's bedroom carpet. Many thanks.
£200 needed for personal protective equipment (PPE) and tools
M has recently been released from prison and has been offered a job on a construction site as a self employed individual. He worked hard in prison to complete as many plant and machinery tickets as possible, and would now like to work in this industry. M has nothing, apart from an opportunity that he would love to grab with both hands. His PPE (hat, hi-viz, work trousers and work shoes) and a screwdriver/drill set are stopping him from having the chance to turn his life around. Please can you help?
£200 needed for a washing machine and bedding
This lad is a single parent with four dependent children, one of whom is severely disabled. Recently, they were moved into temporary accommodation, due to damp, but have now been moved into permanent accommodation in another area. Mum has a lot of outgoings, for example, travelling costs for the children to get to school, and the move. This lady's washing machine has broken and she really needs another as soon as possible, due to the needs of her disabled child, and also extra bedding.
£175 needed for a washing machine and delivery cost
This young woman, who has autism and also suffers from clinical post traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), has recently had to be hospitalised in a mental health unit. She receives Universal Credit and has applied for Personal Independence Payment. This young woman has now been allocated an unfurnished flat and another local charity is helping with furniture, but she really needs a washing machine. We can supply and deliver a second-hand one with a six-month warranty. Please would you help?
£175 needed for an electric cooker
This young woman, who has learning disabilities, receives Universal Credit and is being helped to apply for Personal Independence Payment. She wishes to live independently, but has family support. This young woman has been allocated a flat, but there is no cooker so she cannot cook proper meals. We can supply and deliver a second-hand one with a six-month warranty. Please would you help?
£200 needed for a lounge carpet
J and her young son have recently moved and they had very little furniture and no flooring. We have supplied furniture, but would appreciate your support in providing carpets. J's son, who has autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), runs around a lot. This results in complaints from neighbours about the noise, which mum is very anxious about. J works part-time whilst her son is at school. She would be really grateful for your support in providing a lounge carpet. Many thanks