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 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 10 days
£150 needed for wallpaper and paint
A has been in recovery from alcohol dependency for twelve months and is doing really well rebuilding his life. He tells me that he had to leave the recovery home a month early, as his wife moved on to another man and left two teenage boys to fend for themselves. The home they are living is in desperate need of decorating, so it would be lovely if we could help him with funds to decorate a room, as he is trying so hard to make a home for the three of them to live in.
£150 needed for an electric sewing machine
Z, who has arrived in the UK from Iran, would like to have a sewing machine. She is unable to afford most clothing items and would like to make them herself, as well as mend her children outfits. She is also wanting to spend her time in sewing, as it keeps her occupied and help her to feel better in herself, rather than feeling bored and depressed. Z is on Universal Credit so couldn't afford one otherwise.
£170 needed for a food voucher and utilities
E, a single mum to two teenagers, is getting used to relying on benefits after a string of bad luck. She had three people drive into her within two weeks of starting a new, well paid job. This has left her with physical and emotional health difficulties. The car was also written off, which left her unable to travel to work, meaning she lost her job and can no longer afford the repayments on her debts. E is working with us to mange her money and get back into work. Please can you help us support her over Christmas with a food voucher and utilities?
£195 needed for a sofa
This gentleman, who moved area over a year ago, has found himself in financial hardship and unable to afford furniture for his home. His basic pension covers his rent and bills and he is often short before the end of the month. This gentleman has kidney failure and needs to attend hospital dialysis sessions three times a week. With your kind donations we want to provide him with a sofa.
£100 needed for a hoover
L, a single lady who has been referred by her local authority for our assistance, is in receipt of Universal Credit and has health and debt issues. She does her utmost to keep her home tidy, but her existing hoover is no longer functioning properly. The problem is made worse by L's health issues which mean she struggles manoeuvring the hoover round her home. If you can help her with this request, that would be brilliant. Thank you.
£175 needed for an electric cooker
S came to the UK as a refugee and successfully set up and ran his own business for a time. Sadly, following Covid, this failed and he also ended up losing his home. He was homeless for two years, mainly sofa surfing, but has now moved into his own flat. S is surviving on Universal Credit and has little to spare to furnish and equip his new home. He would be very grateful for help to buy an electric cooker as he currently has no means of preparing hot food.
£200 needed for food and clothes vouchers
Our client, I, who is currently homeless and living in temporary sheltered housing, has an immigration application pending and currently doesn't have access to public funds so cannot access benefits. He is not able to work, due to his mental health concerns. I is destitute and needs £100 for a food voucher. He also needs some money to buy some winter clothes. £100 will be spent on a voucher for a clothes shop to buy a winter coat, shoes, trousers and a jumper.
£100 needed for a replacement phone handset
There is a lot in K's life to cause her stress. She lives alone, her children are not with her at present, she has some debts and just doesn't have enough money coming in to live on. K is taking steps to straighten things out with the help of local agencies. However, her phone has broken, making it extremely difficult to keep in regular contact with those who are helping her. £100 will enable her to get a phone with which she can also access the internet and work online when she needs to.
£200 needed for a microwave and two car seats
F, an Afghan refugee who has come here with his wife and four children. has been placed in our city by the UK government.. The family is in need of car seats for each of the children and a microwave. We are applying for two car seats, for the four and six year old, and a microwave on this application. This will enable them to safely travel around as a family.