LOasis Community Housing’s annual Christmas homeless appeal has raised over £130,000 to support people facing homelessness thanks to generous donations.
Individuals, businesses, churches and community groups came together to raise this incredible amount for the homeless charity that supports more than 1,200 men, women and families across the UK every year.
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Making a difference
Incredible generosity throughout the Giving a Home Appeal helps to lay the foundation of the charity’s work during the coming year, journeying with people out homelessness.
People like Nika, who found freedom and a sense of belonging after fleeing her home country at the age of 21. She found support through our Basis Beds team: “I have had lots of ups and downs since I’ve been here, but the charity has given me one of the most important things, it has given me a home. A safe place.”
One donation, twice the impact
The Appeal was given a significant boost thanks to the Big Give Christmas Challenge. Matched funding from Lovell, Meldrum, Komatsu, Utilita, Karbon Homes, Consultiv Utilities, Muckle LLP, Leonard Curtis, Toomey Legal, Gentoo and Amazon meant all donations from individuals, community groups and businesses were doubled during the challenge week (3 – 10 December).
Building a community
The Appeal saw the launch of Gingerbread Street, a gingerbread building competition that went on display at The Biscuit Factory throughout December. Local businesses, groups and schools deployed their best bakers and builders to create gingerbread houses, a school, church and even a skate park. All of the confectionary creations were displayed alongside in the Newcastle art gallery each other to make up Gingerbread Street.
TV and architect George Clarke, Greggs’ Roisin Currie and Lovell’s Phil Jones judged the entries and awarded the Community Champion Award to ‘Callerton Gingerbread Academy’, which was a group effort from Callerton Academy Year 10 Pupils, Space Architects and Morgan Sindall construction services. Other award winners included: ‘The Courthouse’ by Ben Hoare Bell LLP (small plot); ‘Frank’s Place’ by construction group Bowmer + Kirkland (medium plot); and ‘The Evelyn Project Food Bank & Community Garden’ by Evelyn Partners financial services (large plot).
The impact of generosity
David Foster, Head of Fundraising at Oasis Community Housing, explained: “The support during the Giving a Home Christmas Appeal was truly incredible, with a total to match.
“These funds are vital for us to continue to support people who, often, have no where else to turn. The generosity of supporters over the festive period will bring security, warmth, and hope to the men, women and families we support throughout 2025.”
Over the past year Oasis Community Housing supported people experiencing homelessness, survivors of abuse and those affected by trauma through more than 30,000 interactions.
The incredible £130,019 raised during the Christmas homeless appeal will go a long way in supporting more people off the streets, tackling trauma and preventing repeated homelessness.
A huge thank you to everyone who shared our social media posts, promoted the cause and donated during Giving a Home Christmas appeal.