Give just five pounds this Christmas
"Thank you so much for the money, it means the absolute world to me to be able to feed my three children and get them a few bits for Christmas. This time of year is so hard, especially with electricity and gas bills, so your kindness and generosity mean everything. Thank you so much, C."
We're aware that for many this winter turning the heating or hot water on will feel like a luxury and for others simply won't be able to afford it. But, what do those in that position do when their washing machine breaks, or their child grows out of their school shoes?
Last year, before the cost of living crisis really began, many sources reported that a fifth of UK adults had less than £250 in savings (Yorkshire Building Society, Joseph Rowntree Trust). This winter it is likely that those who are struggling will have little or no savings to see them through a crisis, a broken appliance or to just simply turn the heating on.
This impact will be felt more widely than ever; not just those on the lowest incomes will feel the squeeze this year - and we're anticipating the need for one-off financial help to increase. You can read more about our reflections on this here.
We're also aware, as Jenny highlights in her video below, that while those on lower incomes will be hit hardest, that actually many of us are also feeling the squeeze due to the increasing living costs in the UK.
Therefore, this Christmas, we're asking if you can join in with a community of other donors to support those most in need, and give #justfivepounds. If many of us give just five pounds, together with donations from others, we will help to lift a burden and bring hope to an individual, or family, this Christmas.
To give#justfivepounds to a need take a look at the ones below, or look at the other ones on our website: acts435.org.uk/needs
"Hi everyone, I write this letter with great joy and pleasure. Your kind generous donations have placed a wonderful fridge freezer in my kitchen for this coming Christmas and New Year. You have also given me trust in humanity. Words cannot express my gratitude to wonderful people whom I have never met. You are wonderful and I do thank you and applaud you all. It now leaves me to wish each and everyone of you a wonderful Christmas and a spectacular New Year. You have made mine! Thank you and respect to you all, R."
'W' said thank you so much to all concerned for help with his bills over Christmas. He has all of his children living with him now and is safe and settled and your help has eased his worries at this stressful time of year and has allowed them to enjoy their first Christmas.
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!