North East homeless charity Oasis Community Housing has raised more than £106,000 for people facing homelessness thanks to donations, small and large, from generous individuals, churches and businesses during its Giving a Home Christmas Appeal.
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The money raised through the annual Giving a Home Appeal will help provide essential support for the more than 1,300 people facing homelessness the charity supports across the UK every year. People like Lizzie.
Every donation makes a huge difference
Lizzie was sleeping on the streets cold and afraid, but thanks to supporters’ donations our services were able to help her find the support she needed: “Now I have my own home and my own key. I’m safe. Thank you.”
This year, the charity took part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge (29 November to 6 December) where all supporter donations were doubled, giving the Appeal a huge boost. Match-funding from businesses based in North East England: Tolent, Meldrum Group, Karbon Homes, Richard Reed Solicitors, Handelsbanken and Gentoo Group, made the charity’s participation in the Big Give possible.
Chris Price, managing director of Tolent Living, said: “We’re delighted to be long-standing supporters of Oasis Community Housing’s Giving a Home Christmas Appeal. We design and build houses across the North East and know first-hand the difference a good, quality home can make to those who need it most.
“It’s so important to support causes like this across the areas we work, and we know this campaign will make a real difference to those who rely on the services that charities like Oasis Community Housing offer.”
Incredible generosity
Local businesses and volunteers also made a life-changing difference outside the charity’s real-life Gingerbread House at Tesco Trinity Square, Gateshead, raising almost £3,900 thanks to generous passers-by. A massive thank you to Meldrum Group, Pepperells Solicitors, Newcastle Building Society, Smart IT, Ward Hadaway, Karbon Homes, Hays Recruitment, Bowe Digital, Sunderland Empire, HSBC (Newcastle Branch), and Bowmer & Kirkland and their volunteers for helping to fundraise outside the Gingerbread house.
Additional thanks to The Alchemist, Lowes Financial Management, ClearVue Business, Muckle LLP, Robson Laidler and Wesleyan for their fundraising, donations and support.
Tackling homelessness
Oasis Community Housing’s Chief Executive Officer, David Smith, said: “Every penny raised for Oasis Community Housing goes towards the most vulnerable in our communities, so this sum will make a life-changing difference; offering a sense of warmth, safety and belonging to the people we support every year.”
This past year, Oasis Community Housing’s drop-ins helped people more than 4,600 times; we have supported 221 families through our supported accommodation; and delivered 370 preventions of homelessness. This life-changing £106,680 will enable us to house more people, support more people in need, and prevent more people starting or returning to life on the streets.