Keighley homeless charity campaign hopes to save lives this winter
Homeless Not Hopeless are asking for basic necessities we take for granted like socks, hats, scarves, toothpaste and soap
A Keighley charity is urging the public to support their Christmas box appeal so homeless people can have a comfortable winter.
Homeless not Hopeless support dozens of people living on the streets and are asking for donations of warm clothes and toiletries to make the next few months bearable.
They're specifically asking for basic necessities we take for granted like socks, hats, scarves, toothpaste and soap.
The charity has warned people will die on the streets this Christmas if they don't get the right help.
Steve Richardson, trustee, said:
"Just imagine that tonight you're doing to curl up in a doorway with a plastic bag, what would make a difference to you if you had it in that bag? Maybe something a little nice like some chocolate or sweets, perhaps some underwear. Things that most people take for granted and we know makes a massive difference to people's lives at this time of year.
"We're talking about temperatures now that are 0 degrees or below and that cold seriously gets into your bones. It's not just something these people have to imagine; it's every day existence. They have to get through a night, then through the next day trying to find something to eat and trying to keep warm.
"Little prospects of being able to get a wash and with just the thought of another 16 hours of darkness it is desperately hard. People will die sleeping rough on the streets this Christmas. It's just a fact."
The Homeless Not Hopeless Outreach Team serve food and hand out clothing, toiletries and necessities to the homeless and less fortunate every week, as well as providing a food bank service.
If you would like to support the charity, you can purchase items from their Amazon wish list here.
Alternatively, get in touch with the charity: on 01535 442399 / 07435 442399 or email info@hnh.org.uk.
Of the more than 274,000 people believed to be homeless on any given night, 2,700 people are sleeping rough, nearly 15,000 single people are in direct access hostels and nearly 250,000 people are living in temporary accommodation - most of whom are families, homeless charity Shelter said.
Shelter warned that recorded numbers are likely to be an underestimate as some types of homelessness such as sofa surfing go undocumented.
Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said:
"It is shameful that 274,000 people are without a home, and with Covid protections now gone thousands more will be joining them.
"A shoddy hostel room or a freezing cold doorway is no place to wake up on Christmas morning, but sadly so many people will."