I have been volunteering in this project for almost two years now and it provides support and housing for young people who have little or no family support.. Christmas for these young people is a bleak time which crystalises their sense of being alone in the world and we would like to alleviate a little of the pain by asking those of you who might have bought a card or gift for our late son Joe, to donate a few pounds to this fund in his memory.

I care hugely about this - Joe always had us behind him.. He never had to worry about being homeless or being alone, and it hurts me deeply to see that there are so many young people who have families who either cannot, or will not, care for their own family members - we are asking you all to remember our son Joe this Christmas in a positive way & bring a little light to another young person this holiday season by donating towards this fund, which I will hand to the organisation in Joe's memory.

I will post a follow up email to all those who donate - giving you as much detail as I can about what was bought and who benefitted. Although obviously this will need to be anonymous... But I will tell you as much as I can .. Last year, your hugely generous donations funded badly needed new TV's - one each for the common room of two local YMCA housing projects, and those TV's have benefited more than thirty young people in the last year. There were also gifts given to the young people from your donations.

The money raised here will provide small Christmas gifts for these young people who range in age from 15 to 24.. These things will be coats, shoes, jumpers and other things like travelcards, - not the latest electronics - these young people need the basics.