Charity Helps Homeless People Fight Loneliness at Christmas
St George's Crypt is warning that the number of homeless and lonely people will increase over the festive period
A Leeds woman who used to sleep rough in the city has told us this will be her first proper Christmas.
Both Amy's parents have died, and she's lost a child through mental illness, homelessness and addiction.
“It’s a very sad time for me,” she said.
“I’ve spent most Christmases either at the graveyard or in hospitals.
“Whilst all the other families are sat round, I’m living on the streets. I watch all the families walking on by, holding hands and smiling and going home to nice warm houses. And I’m sat there all alone.”
This year though, Amy's spending Christmas at St George's Crypt – a local charity working with the homeless and people suffering from addiction.
Chris Wilson works there, and says there is always an increase in the number of people who are lonely or homeless at this time of year:
“We have people that we accommodate who have been rough sleeping, and also there are people who we’ve actually housed before who don’t really have any friends or family that they can visit on Christmas day.
“It’s really for anyone who feels they don’t want to be lonely.
“We’re just here to make Christmas special for people because that’s really what it’s all about.”
The charity are warning that the number of homeless or lonely people in Leeds will increase over the festive period.
They're inviting anyone who's facing the day alone to spend it with them.