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 8 days
£200 needed for a bed frame and mattress
X and her son were moved into a temporary studio flat five years ago. He is now twenty and they are both sleeping in the lounge on camp beds. They both struggle with their mental health, which makes leaving the flat difficult, so means they are in the same small space most of the time. X has come to our Christians Against Poverty debt centre for help with her debts and to get back on her feet. This money would go to a bed frame and mattress for her son.
£200 needed for a fridge freezer
P and her family are Iraqi refugees who had to flee a horrific trauma. They are settling in York and have been offered a completely unfurnished home. We are looking to buy them a fridge freezer, washing machine and beds. This is a request to help to buy them a fridge freezer. We are combining these requests with funds that we are hoping to raise from other sources. Thank you.
£150 needed for food vouchers and heating
A is forty five years old and has multiple severe medical problems. He has just been discharged from hospital, is unable to work and is dependent on Universal Credit. A is struggling with debt, as well as with daily bills, and is getting help from a debt advice charity. A donation will enable him to buy nutritious food and pay some money towards his gas bill, which should aid his recuperation.
£200 needed for a washing machine
MA has just been placed in a property after a long period of homelessness and, therefore, has no furniture or white goods. At the moment he is on a low income, awaiting a benefits assessment, and claims Universal Credit. MA is purchasing some goods himself, but needs help with the expense of a washing machine.
£190 needed for a washing machine
B has been referred to Romero to ask for support in helping her purchase a replacement washing machine. B is a single mum to four school aged children, who works part-time, but struggles weekly to make ends meet. Her washing machine has broken and she cannot afford to buy a replacement, so is currently washing her children's clothes by hand, but this is very difficult. Please can you help us to support B to purchase the washing machine she needs so that she can reduce the amount of stress she is under?
£200 needed for a fridge freezer
R was the victim of sexual assault in 2022 and the resulting trauma has left them unable to manage independently. They lost their tenancy and moved into a Restore house. We have supported them to access therapies and long-term support, and they have now been offered a council tenancy. R is still struggling day to day with their mental health conditions and needs support to get set up well in their new flat, so this can be the fresh start they need to move forward. Please can you help them with a fridge freezer?
£110 needed for an air fryer and a microwave
We are supporting S who has autism and epilepsy. Her autism means she struggles with every day cooking. Her microwave recently broke so we are requesting help to get a new one and an air fryer too, to enable easy cooking for the family. S is on a limited income and has significant debts which she has a payment plan for and is making good progress with. Thank you for your consideration in helping this family.
£200 needed for a washing machine
Things became too difficult in their family home and A, who has autism, needed support to develop their independent living skills. They moved into a Restore property, engaged with support to learn how to manage a property, and have now moved into their own council tenancy. They are still on a very limited income and are rightfully prioritising bills and rent payments to make sure to stay ahead, but this means there aren't funds leftover for essential, one-off items such as a washing machine.
£200 needed for a fridge freezer
J, who suffers from bipolar, was diagnosed in 2019, but has suffered for over forty years. He goes through depressive periods lasting six months and manic episodes lasting four months. This has greatly impacted his ability to maintain employment. J is prone to making impulsive decisions and has memory loss which has led him into debt. He does not have a fridge, which makes life very difficult. J would be so grateful to get a fridge so that he can store fresh food, which will go someway to help his mental health.