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 5 days
£200 needed for a house move
This lady is having a tough time, living solely on benefits with two disabled children in a property which is not suitable for their needs. Thankfully, an opportunity has come up to move to a more appropriate house for them all, but finding the moving costs is a struggle. This money will pay for the local ‘man with a van’ to facilitate this for them.
£200 needed for a sofa
D had an accident in September 2024 and has been unable to work since. Transitioning to Universal Credit has been a struggle and she has got behind with essential payments. Her mental and physical health has also suffered. D moved into an unfurnished flat earlier in the year and has not had any money left over to furnish her living room. Please can you help D to buy a sofa to make her flat more like a home?
£180 needed for clothes, shoes and toys
L and her partner have three children aged six, four and two. They are living in temporary accommodation in a one bedroom flat. L used to work full-time, but cannot work at the moment due to mental health issues. This has left the family struggling financially and unable to buy clothes and shoes for their growing children. We would like to buy the children clothes, shoes and a few toys. We would also like to buy L and her partner coats.
£200 needed for a house move
This lady is in need of a house move due to her daughter having significant mobility issues and other special needs. Their current property has become unsuitable and so they are looking to move to an adapted property which has thankfully been found for them. Living on benefits alone makes all the costs associated with moving difficult to find, but this money will fund the local man with a van to take care of this for them and remove a significant burden from this lady's shoulders.
£200 needed for a cooker
After a suicide attempt left her with a serious brain injury, this lady has spent eighteen months in a rehabilitation unit. She has just been housed locally, with a support package, and is having to start from scratch in equipping her property. This lady literally knows nobody, so we are seeking to support her as a church. She would be delighted to have her own cooker and begin to look after herself properly. Can you help her achieve this, please?
£170 needed for a second-hand laptop
D, a refugee who has just received leave to remain, is desperate to be reunited with his wife and young children, hopefully, in the next year! He is studying very hard at the college to get his English qualifications and hopes to find a job soon. With all of this, D would really benefit from a laptop to help with studying and applying for jobs online. His previously donated tablet has unfortunately broken after much use. Thank you so much for helping D to get his own device.
£170 needed for a second-hand laptop
S is an asylum seeker who is very engaged in our local English classes and support groups. He is keen to learn and improve his English in order to be able to become part of our society, to integrate and give back by volunteering, and one day finding a job. It is very challenging for him to do his homework and access information online with only an old phone. Thank you so much for helping S to get his own laptop in order to increase his ability to learn and improve his English.
£200 needed for a sofa and fridge
G is a refugee who successfully obtained an approval for the reunion application for his wife and daughter. He is expecting his family to arrive and has rented accommodation for them. However, G needs your support to buy a used sofa and fridge for the new accommodation, in order to start arranging the accommodation. Can you please help?
£200 needed for a school uniform and clothing
L is a single mum to a teenage boy who is fifteen and has been required to move schools, following a serious safeguarding incident. Mum is struggling financially and is being supported by her local food bank and debt advice service. L is not eligible for a clothing grant and her son requires a specific uniform. He also needs new trainers, basic t-shirts and shorts. Mum would appreciate any support so her son can settle into his new school without feeling different to others.