A unique construction project is fronting this year’s Christmas appeal from homelessness charity Oasis Community Housing. The virtual gingerbread house is being ‘built’ online thanks to donations from businesses and members of the public, helping to raise vital funds to provide real homes for people facing homelessness.
David Smith, Oasis Community Housing’s Chief Executive, explains: “2020 has been tough for all of us, but can you imagine what it would be like not to have somewhere safe and warm to stay when all of the places you’d usually seek shelter are closed? Our Giving a Home appeal is about providing just that; more than simply a roof overhead.”
The charity’s ‘Giving a Home’ appeal was kick-started by housing association Karbon Homes, whose generous donation enabled the first gingerbread person to ‘move in’ online. Since, nine others have joined him!
For every £2,000 the charity’s ‘Giving a Home’ appeal manages to raise, a gingerbread person will move into the confectionery home enabling the charity to continue their life-changing work delivering food, warmth, medicines, counselling and safe, secure, supported accommodation to almost 2,000 people every year.
Paul Fiddaman, Group Chief Executive of Karbon Homes which owns and manages affordable homes across the North East and Yorkshire, said: “We are very glad to support the Giving a Home appeal. It’s an important cause at any time, but we know how tough 2020 has been for those enduring homelessness, and it’s so vital that the services provided by Oasis are well supported, especially during the cold winter months.”
Oasis’ Chief Executive David Smith added: “We couldn’t do what we do without the generous support of businesses and individuals, so we’re encouraging everyone to spread the word or donate whatever you can afford – it all goes towards us giving a home to someone who desperately needs it this Christmas and New Year.”
The virtual house is made up of gingerbread bricks and roof tiles, a bon-bon topped chimney and candy canes; all of which can be ‘bought’ to help the Gateshead-based charity in their continued work supporting people facing homelessness this Christmas and into the New Year.
As a thank you, virtual snowfall and fireworks begin following your donation, which Oasis Community Housing hopes will help celebrations in its supporters’ homes as well – in a year that has involved spending more time indoors than ever before.
To find out more, please visit www.givingahome.org.uk