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News: for immediate release

 

Christmas Campaign features formerly homeless guests

 

Eddie, who slept rough for 26 years before coming to the shelters run by Glass Door, has agreed to be the face of this local homeless charity’s Christmas campaign.

 

“The holidays are a really difficult time of year when you are on the street. You're cut off from family, nothing is open, and it's lonely,” Eddie says.

 

Eddie is now volunteering and working with Glass Door so that others can find the kindness and support he found. 

 

The photograph of a housing block in the background was taken by Boris, a former guest of the shelters, when he was sleeping rough around Christmas last year. Boris says: “I see despair, but I see beauty too.”

 

People like Eddie and Boris are great examples why having Glass Door open over Christmas is so important.

 

“Being a previous guest of the Glass Door shelters, I know what a difference their work can make,” says Eddie. “Together we can make a difference. Please help and give somebody else hope.” 

 

Top ways to get involved this Christmas:

There are many ways large and small you can give shelter and hope this Christmas to the men and women in our community who have no home of their own. Glass Door’s top five: 

 

  1. Donate

Any donation large or small can help bring shelter and hope to a homeless guest this Christmas and beyond. £23 will sponsor someone for the night. Donate at glassdoor.org.uk or by cheque sent to155a Kings Road, SW3 5TX.

  1. Fundraise

Host a reverse coffee morning, wear a Christmas jumper all week, go Christmas caroling, and bring shelter and hope to others this Christmas. Get in touch with the Glass Door team for support.

  1. Shop & dine with organisations that support their work

  • When looking for lunch, consider Pret'sChristmas sandwiches. For every sandwich sold, £.50 is donated to their charity, which supports homeless charities like Glass Door.
  • When dining out, look for one of the many excellent restaurants that take part in StreetSmart, a charity that passes on donations to Glass Door and other reputable homeless charities.
  • If you're looking for a stocking stuffer, consider Bayley & Sage's 2018 calendars, which donates £.50 to Glass Door for every calendar sold. 

 

  1. Challenge anti-homeless stigma

Just like a racist or sexist comment, if a colleague or friend makes a negative comment about homeless people, discuss it. The causes of homelessness are complex, but most of their guests work hard to turn their situation around. Read their stories online, and help fight stigma one conversation at a time. 

 

  1. Small acts of kindness

A cup of tea, a smile, can let someone know they're not invisible. Why not pass on a "Shelter and Advice" card to someone you think could use the support? Cards available through many church offices or via the charity. What better present could you give someone? 

 


About Glass Door:

Glass Door operates London's largest night shelter network and provides those members of the public affected by homelessness the support they need to get off the streets for good. The shelters and support services are open to all, providing a safe place to sleep, advice and guidance for those with nowhere else to turn. Thanks to our partnerships with churches, volunteers and supporters, we can help get people off the streets and give individuals the support they need to rebuild their lives. Our night shelters save lives, and our caseworkers change lives.  

 

Note: for more information, please contact Melissa Kerschen

[email protected]

020 7351 4948