Boro Angels there to help night time community in Middlesbrough
The charity says the festive period can be emotional for many
Last updated 21st Dec 2023
A charity in Middlesbrough say they're offering a shoulder to cry on or a listening ear for people this festive period.
It comes as Christmas and New Year's eve can be emotional for many - particularly those who are bereaved.
Boro Angels helps the community on a night time by giving support in any way they can. Middlesbrough Council gave them a grant too for their 'Safe Night Out' campaign.
Chair Alma Dennison said: "There's been a lot about spiking drinks so last year we gave our bottle stoppers so nothing could be put into the bottles. This year we've gone one step further and we're giving waterproof transparent phone cases out, which have cards in from various organisations that we work with.
"We've spent 14 years building up good relationships and it pays off because when we need help we tend to get it. The people in the town are absolutely marvellous. We've never had any trouble and we have people coming up to us and they'll want to hug us because we helped their sister, daughter or son etc.
"We come across people who've been bereaved especially on New Year's Eve. Last year we came across a girl whose grandfather had passed away in the November and she was absolutely distraught, saying 'how can I come out and enjoy myself?' We will sit for as long as it takes for them to come around a bit.
"I've sat with a young lady who had their seventh miscarriage and her family, with completely good intentions, said to her 'come out, we'll have a good time. Have a drink, you'll feel a bit better.' And of course, it didn't work out like that. I sat on the floor outside one of the pubs and she just wept into my arms for a good hour."