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 10 days
£200 needed for a washing machine
We have been supporting a young family whose washing machine has just broken and is sadly not repairable. They are in desperate need for a new one as they have a baby and 4 older children. They are on Universal Credit and can't afford to buy a new one. Your donations would greatly bless this family and help them with clean clothes. Any donations would be warmly welcomed. Thank you!
£190 needed for CCTV and a Ring doorbell
We have just arranged for this very frightened pregnant mum and her two young children to stay in a hotel for a couple of nights after another incident of harassment and abuse by her mother in the middle of the night outside her home. We are working with housing and other agencies to help this family but on the practical side this mum is asking for financial support to buy a Ring doorbell and a CCTV camera to help make her feel safer.
£150 needed for a sofa
This young person has had a traumatic and unsettled few years following the death of her mother. She had to leave her family home and has been living on caravan sites without access to basic amenities until she was housed with us. She is very grateful for the small things we all take for granted as a result of this, such as having water and electricity. She requires help to purchase a sofa to furnish her lovely new home. Any support would be much appreciated by this young person.
£190 needed for removal costs
J was in court this week and her house has been repossessed. Amazingly she has found a rental flat, which is great news but it's in another city. J is working with Christians Against Poverty to sort her debt, accrued from her abusive marriage which has now ended. Her budget is really tight and she lives with physical and mental health conditions. We'd love to make this move as smooth as possible. She has found a man and van to help.
£200 needed for a gas bill
S has worked as a teacher for 20 years in the state education system. Due to the increasing demands of the job, S is currently suffering from serious mental health issues and is unable to work. He is on benefits. When S was moved into council housing, he was unable to cope with the associated administration. He recently received a backdated British Gas bill of £460 for the period 7 March 2023 onwards. As the British Gas Trust Fund is closed, any assistance towards this bill would be so grateful.
£200 needed for a cooker
H has fled domestic violence and is being supported by us. H is a gentle and fragile person who is unable to work due to her poor mental health at this time. She has been placed in temporary accommodation without any cooking facilities as such we are asking for funds for us to support H to be able to buy a cooker.
£200 needed for a washing machine
Our client has recently been housed into supported accommodation with their young child; however, their new home which they’ve been placed in doesn’t have any white goods at all. They spent what little money they had on a fridge-freezer and are currently eating all their meals from the microwave. We would love to be able to provide them with a washing machine so that they can keep their clothes and bedding clean and liveable for both themselves and their young child. Can you help?
£200 needed for a new cooker
Our client has recently been housed into supported accommodation with their young child; however, their new home which they’ve been placed in doesn’t have any white goods at all. They spent what little money they had on a fridge-freezer and are currently eating all their meals from the microwave. We would love to be able to provide them with a cooker so that they can feed both themselves and their young child with healthy and balanced meals. Can you help?
£200 needed for a washing machine
L has a new baby and 5 other children. Her washing machine is broken and stuck with clothes in it and has been working on and off for the last few months so she is really struggling to stay on top of things. There is a lot going on with this family, including debt, single parenthood and neurodiversity needs for multiple family members. L is engaging the best she can with support, this would be one less thing to worry about.