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 11 days
£200 needed for specialist transport costs
This is for a very isolated gentleman who is disabled and largely housebound. His only social interaction is a weekly visit to a local cafe for a pensioner's lunch. However, he is often unable to fund the wheel chair accessible transport he requires to be able to make this outing, which is why he is requesting help towards transport costs to ensure he does not lose this vital social interaction, as we work on a longer-term solution. This funding would cover 6 weeks' worth of journeys.
£165 needed for a dining table and chairs
E and her 7 year old daughter became refugees in January 2025 and have moved between several temporary accommodations since arriving in the UK. They are currently living in temporary housing with very few furnishings. There is no table or chairs in their accommodation, so they eat all their meals on the floor. A dining table and chairs would provide a safe, comfortable place to eat together and give her daughter somewhere suitable to sit, study and complete schoolwork.
£150 needed for a SIM card top-up, food and travel
Mr S is a single client who has been in the UK for over 25 years. He suffers from severe health issues and was referred to us by a hospital. Unfortunately because of his immigration issues he is barred from accessing housing and welfare support, and he has been homeless for a while. This is having a detrimental impact on his health and his ability to engage with his immigration case. Mr S is destitute so this money for food will help to prevent the further deterioration of his health. The travel money is so he can attend appointments with his immigration adviser and at the hospital, and the mobile phone top up is so he can communicate with his GP and the other professionals involved with his care.
£200 needed for a van to move home
E needs help towards moving costs as she has got leukaemia and she is getting worse. Her support system and all of her family and help are in Lewes so she needs a van so she can move closer to them. But she cannot afford this herself. She has found a home swap which is in the process of going through. Please can you help with the moving costs? She will be very grateful.
£200 needed for a new electric cooker
A new electric cooker is needed for a family of parents with three young children, two with additional needs. The family relies on Dad's income and family benefits. The parents love and meet their children’s basic needs, and have accessed appropriate support services to address their financial debt and are working proactively to improve their situation. A replacement cooker would help the family to continue to provide a stable, nurturing and nutritious environment. Can you help this lovely family?
£200 needed for a new gas cooker
Both our client and their partner suffer from mental health issues. Our client has just spent two months in hospital with their mental health. Our client also suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from a previous abusive relationship and Fibromyalgia. This is a low income family on benefits. They have two children who both have special needs. One with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and the other with Autism. Their old second hand gas cooker has been condemned by a Gas Safe engineer and needs replacing.
£150 needed for a monthly travel pass
J is destitute and has just moved into a short term hosting placement before she moves in Home Office accommodation pending an appeal on her asylum claim. She has recently been released from detention and is traumatised from it, and finds that travelling outside around London really helps with her mental health. She has very little to live on, so if she could buy a travel card, this would mean the little money she has doesn't all go on travel.
£200 needed for a bedroom carpet
This lady had an accident four years ago that left her requiring five operations to her legs/ankle, and is only now able to think about going back upstairs in her home. However, she has no carpets in her bedroom. She rents her property, unfurnished, so is responsible for all furnishings. She has also had struggles with her mental health which has left her unable to work. As Winter approaches, she would love to be able to be warm, safe and comfortable in her own room.
£120 needed for an emergency food shop
P struggles with significant health issues, including diabetes and poor vision. He has been struggling to make his limited Universal Credit stretch to pay for the essentials that he needs. P is currently unable to attend his local foodbank as he has dialysis appointments that clash with the opening hours. We are requesting some money for P to get a food shop. We are in the process of increasing P's income through Personal Independence Payment, so this voucher would be crucial in helping P until that is confirmed.