Freshbrook Evangelical Church Christmas Market 2011
In Support of The Swindon Night Shelter
We would just like to thank everyone who came to our Christmas Market. You have helped us raise £800 for The Swindon Night Shelter. We would like especially to thank:
The Millbrook School Children
Cricklade Brass Band
Our own singers
And last, but not least, to all the stall holders
They each in their own ways made the market festive, virbrant, interesting and a success.
And it was ...
All for a great cause!
The Swindon Night Shelter provides help, food and a place to stay for the dejected and homeless at weekends.The comfort that this brings to those in such need is immense. Many stories could be told, but this is what one guest, Charlie, had to say:
Image by humbletree
“[I had] nowhere else to go, literally nowhere else. It's a warm welcome; people cared, people listened. It's somewhere to sleep, somewhere to clean up - it gives you a bit more self-respect and dignity, which you lose when you're on the street.”
(For a fuller accound, please read: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire)
Guests are provided with a two course meal, warm bed and a packed lunch for the following day. Here are some interesting facts and figures:
- Last year alone they had 617 guests
- Busiest night had 23 guests
- Age of guest range from 18 - 70
- Age of volunteers range from 18 - 70
- 32 volunteers work the shifts at the Shelter
- ...
It's not only about the food and the accommodation. The Shelter also provide many other services:
- Cothing exchange
- Washing facility
- Prayer and counselling
- Advice on other services
- Prison visting
- Trips out
- Training
- Access to rehabilitation program
- ...
Thank you once again for coming!
