Anna Marshall
Anna's British 10K London Run 2014 page
Fundraising for The Bridge Trust
Story
After doing a sponsored sleep out last year to raise money for the homeless in London I then volunteered for Crisis over Christmas.
We are often led to believe that it is their fault they have no home. We are told they are alcoholics and maybe they left home and thought they would find work in the big cities? I met many homeless men and women who were normal every day people like you and me. A set of unfortunate circumstances had got them to this point. I met teachers, business people and a disabled man too who had fallen through the cracks of society and given them no choice.
If you are employed in this country and made redundant, then chances are you will get a pay off and then receive some benefits of some kind to help you through the process. Not very much admittedly but it will help. It occurred to me that if you are self employed (like myself) and your business goes down the pan; nobody will pay you off and you won't be entitled to any benefits. The mortgage goes unpaid, you lose your house and if you haven't got children then you aren't a priority to get housing. I am very lucky to have a close family who would never see me on the street but there are plenty out there who aren't so lucky. Being homeless is rarely a choice for someone.
Imagine your belongings being all you can carry. Imagine trying to find somewhere to sleep at night with no money. You have your sleeping bag and your belongings and then find a place to sleep. Someone else comes along and decides to put their belongings and sleeping bag next to you. You then want to go to the toilet....can you leave your belongings with someone you don't know? It is doubtful. You might just want a wee but you have to go. You have to pick up all your belongings and find somewhere. I don't need to tell you this is a very different situation depending on whether you are a man or woman but this scenario alone is enough to make me know that I NEVER want to be homeless.
I am running to raise money for The Bridge Trust who do great work in Kent for the Homeless.....
The Bridge Trust
The Bridge Trust exists for the rehabilitation and re-settlement of single homeless people in the West Kent area. Registered as a charity in 1991 an
d incorporated in 1995, the support we offer falls in to several categories:
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Shared Supported Accommodation in one of our five residential properties that can accommodate up to 22 people. Each resident has their own support worker who will help them resolve issues that may include their physical, emotional and mental state of health and finances, etc.
•
Resource and Training – advice on training, education and job prospects plus use of our computer suite.
•
Supported Move On project - we will help the residents to secure more permanent housing through local housing associations and they will continue to receive whatever support is necessary from us for a period of up to two years.
•
Advice – free and impartial advice on a number of housing problems including benefit advice.
•
Mediation.
Since the Trust was formed over 20 years ago it has handled over 6,000
Since the Trust was formed over 20 years ago it has handled over 6,000
referrals of homeless people from the three local authorities at Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells; local Citizens Advice Bureau; Social Services; Young Offenders Teams; The Probation Service; Churches and their friends and families.
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