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 9 days
£200 needed for a cooker
M is a single mum who has recently moved to a permanent council home and is in need of a cooker. Torch and others have already helped with decoration and flooring as M already has debt and the whole process has been quite traumatic. Consequently she is struggling with her mental health because of everything that has happened. Please can you help them with an electric cooker that would allow her to prepare proper meals for her daughter who has special needs.
£200 needed for a washing machine
X 's partner died two years ago at the age of thirty nine. He continues to struggle with both his physical and mental health. Recently his washing machine has stopped working. X has no funds to buy a new washing machine as he is currently unfit for work. Can you help?
£190 needed for a washing machine and cabinets
M is currently unwell. She has been home bound for a few months now. She unfortunately cannot work at the moment as the illness has made her immobile at the. Unfortunately her washing machine is broken and she needs help to replace it as she does not have money. She is also in need of 2 bedside cabinets.
£200 needed for food, travel and a phone
S is a single Mum, an asylum seeker, living in a hotel with her daughter. On arriving in the UK, she lived with her ex partner for 18 months and had to leave him because of Domestic violence. Before now she was accommodated in a Stella Maria Convent. Since moving into a hotel, living has become harder for her and her daughter. She needs your support for food, travel and a telephone. Your voucher donation will make a difference to their lives, reduce her anxiety and unhappiness
£200 needed for food and clothes
D is an asylum seeker living in a hotel with her family. This mum is a mother of 2 children, twin teenage boys. She had fled from her home country because of political reasons. Her uncle's son had been killed and her family had received several threats of loss of their lives. Since arriving in the UK her husband has developed a serious back problem affecting his mobility. The allowance they receive is grossly inadequate. Your food voucher donation will change their lives.
£150 needed for gas and electricity bills
S is a father of 3 children and currently he is between jobs and looking for a job his wife is also not working as she is looking for the youngest child. S had a bill of debt for gas and electricity and would like your support so he can pay this amount to the provider as his income is currently barely enough for his life expenses and rent.
£200 needed for a carpet fitting
Thank you for reading this request. S has fled Syria and has recently been granted the leave to remain in the UK with his family. He has been living in various hotels but has recently been granted a property of his own. The property he has been granted is uncarpeted and he doesn't have the finances to be able to afford to fit them. His only income is from Universal Credit and he has no savings. We have an amazing offer of free carpets, if we can get a little help fitting them.
£165 needed for delivery and installation of cooker
A is a single man living with a number of chronic health conditions including respiratory concerns and epilepsy. He is in receipt of Universal Credit, and is working hard with local organisations to work his way out of debt. His cooker has recently broken and although he has sought support to replace. We are requesting support to be able to pay the additional cost of delivery and installation.
£200 needed for an air fryer
Z is vulnerable and left his workplace having been bullied at work. This led to debt and to being further targeted in his community, exacerbating his mental health issues. He is being helped by Christians Against Poverty who have found that his current air fryer is unsafe to use and he has no other way of cooking food. We would like to bless him with an air fryer so that he can cook and to help his general wellbeing as well as showing him that people care for his welfare.