St Petrocs launch emergency winter appeal as cold weather hits Cornwall
The charity anticipate higher demand than ever this winter
St Petrocs have launched their winter emergency appeal.
The charity, whose aim is to 'End Homelessness for Good', are launching an appeal to support as many rough sleepers as possible this winter.
This year, they warn they are facing unprecedented demand.
Jon Sparkes, trustee at St Petrocs, said: "We are here all year round. Through the winter, we'll be getting people off the street in an emergency because of cold weather, but also working with them at that time and help them into long term accommodation."
St Petrocs' Winter Services emergency accommodation appeal starts on Friday 1 December and will run through the winter. It comes as they anticipate higher demand than ever as the housing shortage continues to increase the number of people without a home this winter.
Henry Meacock, chief executive of St Petrocs, said: "Unfortunately the demand for our services is just growing and growing. There's a real squeeze of accommodation in Cornwall and we're seeing more and more people who are facing eviction, like no-fault evictions.
"It's putting a real pressure on the housing market and the impact is, the people who come through our door are coming through in states of crisis and really challenging times. There's just a huge increase."
Lois Wild, spokesperson at St Petrocs, said: "We are trying to encourage people to support us as an organisation, to try and prevent homelessness and to help get people into secure, safe, dry accommodation with dignity."
The appeal comes after a severe weather emergency protocol was activated in Cornwall to provide emergency accommodation for rough sleepers during extreme colder weathers.
A yellow weather warning for snow and ice has been extended until 10am on Friday 1 December.
For more information on their winter appeal, you can visit the St Petrocs website.