Brighton’s leading homeless charity BHT has issued a plea for help with 150 men and women using its main day centre – First Base – over Christmas.
BHT (Brighton Housing Trust) said: “This year over a 1,000 people came to First Base in housing crisis.
“We urgently need your donations to help us provide care and support to people who are homeless this Christmas.”
BHT chief executive Andy Winter said yesterday (Thursday 24 December): “Christmas is a particularly busy time for us but throughout the year we have seen more and more people turning to us for support.
“Never before have our services been needed as much as they are today.
“As we approach Christmas, I am asking for your support. Each year around 1,000 street homeless men and women come to us for life-sustaining, and life-changing, support.
“This Christmas we expect to see 150 different men and women use the facilities offered at First Base. Without your support, we would not be able to continue our work.”
The charity has set up a Just Giving page for donations. To make a donation, click here.
BHT said: “The most important gift you can give this Christmas is a donation to First Base Day Centre.
“Men and women sleeping on the streets of Brighton and Hove is sadly an all too familiar sight.
“The average life expectancy of a man living on the streets is 47 and for a woman just 43 years.
“Being street homeless is devastating. Homeless people are 35 times more likely to commit suicide than the rest of the community.
“When you combine homelessness with the bitter cold of winter and the loneliness of living on the streets at Christmas, being homeless is unbearable.
“Thankfully, First Base Day Centre provides a lifeline to people in crisis. We provide a warm welcome, hot food, showers and specialist one-to-one support to help people move on from life on the streets.
“Please support us today and help save lives.”
Great Charity who have done great work, Andy could do with a new years gong!