Cooking in time for Christmas

Martin*, who was homeless for four years, and was living in temporary housing, now has permanent accommodation. But he is unable to work due to mental health issues, arthritis and fibromyalgia. He has been provided with a one bedroom bungalow and has been able to purchase some essential items. However, he is dependent on benefits and desperately needed a cooker, but with a limited budget and no savings, he couldn't afford to buy one. The local Advocate posted a request for a cooker onto the Acts 435 website, which was quickly met by donors.

Once it was met, the local Advocate helped Martin to source a cooker, and wrote this wonderful message to the donors that gave towards the request:

"We are very grateful and appreciate your help and support for this gentleman. When we spoke to him today he was overwhelmed with thanks and appreciation. The cooker has been ordered and will be delivered later this week. It is a privilege that we can provide help for him. Thank you for your kindness from the bottom of our hearts. Have a lovely Christmas and Happy New Year."

Martin also wrote this message of thanks to those who supported him:

“Well, I would like to thank everyone that has donated to help me get a cooker, as I was made homeless through no fault of my own and I’ve managed to get a place and it’s been a hard struggle. I would like to thank everybody that’s been involved in helping me out. This has been the only Christmas that I’ve had a present or anything for over four years, so thank you for everyone’s generosity, I can now cook some food as all I’ve had is an air fryer. I’m being a person that loves to cook. It’s been very hard. Even trying to make soup in an air fryer is tricky, so thanks to everyone please and I wish you all the very best for Christmas and the New Year, Yours sincerely, Martin.”

*name changed