Charity set to help needy

More than 130 kind-hearted people have pledged to help the charity Surviving Christmas bring a bit of festive cheer to those less fortunate. They are invited to the annual three-day Open Christmas event at the YMCA in St Paul's Road, St Leonards. Volunteers there provide a Christmas dinner, hot showers, a hair cut and free clothing to those in need and homeless, on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and December 27, from 10am to 6pm. The charity also distributes food vouchers and hampers, particularly to less well-off families and pensioners. Last year Surviving Christmas raised 28,000 and every penny was spent on its three-day Open Christmas event, with 15,500 worth of food vouchers, which were given to more than 3,000 people, and 350 food hampers. Shirley Thompson, the charity's co-ordinator, said: "Requests to help us this Christmas came flooding in. "More than 135 people turned up at the volunteer recruitment meeting on December 6 and we are still receiving calls from eager would-be volunteers. "We have enough and do not need any more. "What we are in dire need of though is more donations." Surviving Christmas has so far received more than 20,000 in cash from generous Hastings and St Leonards residents. The charity will be sending more than 450 hampers to needy families this year. It is also distributing almost 3,500 5 food vouchers across the town which will go to hard-up people. Mrs Thompson added: "The need for the charity increases as years go by. " Deputy mayor Eve Martin will visit the event on Christmas morning. Hastings MP Michael Foster will call in on Boxing Day. p More than 1,000 pairs of new socks will also be delivered to the charity on Christmas Day by Cllr Richard Stevens, who launched this year's Sox Appeal. He said: "The collection of socks is still ongoing but we have six full bags. "This year's appeal has been as good if not better than last year. "The generosity of the people of Hastings and St Leonards is ever present." Cheques made payable to Surviving Christmas can be sent to PO Box 290, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 9DT.