Here are just some of the ways your support of our Christmas Appeal will directly benefit local families in the Blackburn area, (and parts of Hyndburn too). Can you help?

(Just in case you don't have time to read all of our story right now,  here's a quick 30 second summary, with a little help from our 'Friends')

• The One with the TOYS..... bringing JOY

Help us to provide new Christmas toys for children of families who  struggle every single day - often without any support - to cope with the cost of living crisis. 

• The One with the 'Shoebox' GIFTS ...... bringing HOPE

Help us to provide ‘shoebox’ style gifts (hats, scarves, gloves, socks etc.) for people who attend our hostel's Phoenix Hub each week.

• The One with the UTILITY TOP-UP..... bringing LIGHT (literally!)

Help us to provide emergency electricity / gas pre-payment meter top ups to families with young children who worry that they won't be able to keep the lights on, and the heating on at home this week....again!

• The One with the GIFT OF FRANK.... bringing GOOD NEWS

Help us to provide the resources to enable Frank to continue to offer our brilliant "War Cry" and Kid's Alive!" magazines in his valuable street ministry.

• And Finally, 'The One'  where we INVITE YOU TO DONATE... joining us in bringing JOY, HOPE, and LIGHT this Christmas!

CHRISTMAS TOY APPEAL 

With your support, we can purchase toys and gifts for children and their families who are really struggling in the current the cost-of-living crisis. [Alternatively, you could purchase some new toys/gifts yourself - suitable for a girl or boy aged 0 to 17 years old - and drop them off (unwrapped) at Blackburn SA Hall for distribution on Tuesdays 9.30 - 12 pm or Thursdays 10 - 1pm, or other times by prior arrangement - call Ashley on 07941916725. We are located at Vicar Street, Blackburn, BB1 5BE, opposite Morrisons / Bus Station.] 

Last year, we were able to help many families who simply “fell through the support gap", since not everyone is eligible to receive Christmas help through the established support networks. This year, we anticipate the level of need will be greater than ever before. We are working in partnership with local support agencies to identify families who may otherwise "fall through the gaps" . These include  ‘Early Break’ (children of families impacted by substance abuse) and ‘Bed Space’ (supporting teenagers and older young people leaving the care system), as well as local family support workers, and welfare support workers in local schools.

CHRISTMAS 'SHOEBOX' GIFTS FOR PHOENIX HUB, BLACKBURN 

We also want to support the Salvation Army’s ‘Phoenix Hub’ in Blackburn, an exciting new community venture, run by our Bramwell House Lifehouse (Hostel) for people experiencing homelessness.    The Hub is a drop in space that is open and available to everyone several times a week. We are aiming to provide ‘shoebox’ style gifts (hats, scarves, gloves, socks etc.) for the 80 or so people who attend the hub for support every week.

SUPPORTING FAMILIES EXPERIENCING FUEL POVERTY

 Whilst all of us are having to deal with the financial challenges imposed on us by the cost-of-living crisis, there are many vulnerable people and families in Blackburn for whom living with "fuel poverty" has always been part of the harsh reality of daily life. Vulnerable households with pre-payment utility meters fitted are being hit the hardest. Sadly, the current crisis is only pushing more and more families over the edge into fuel poverty, and they are getting 'stuck' there for longer. 

As winter approaches, hardly a week goes by without us receiving an urgent referral from, for example, a Family Support worker, to request an emergency pre-payment meter "top up" for a family with young children they are working with that are either struggling to heat their home, and/or keep the lights on. We recently provided a utility top up for a mum facing the dilemma that, whilst her newborn baby was receiving neo-natal care in hospital, she learned that the heat and lights back at home had literally just "gone out" - and the family were struggling to find the money to put the prepayment meter back in credit.

"WE'RE SPREADING THE [GOOD] NEWS!"

One of our fantastic volunteers, Frank, stands outside in the local high street twice a week - in Accrington town centre (Tuesdays) and near Darwen Market Hall (Fridays) - almost every week, offering our brilliant "War Cry" and Kid's Alive!" magazines to the public. They provide food for thought and are a means of sharing the message of Christian Hope in our community, and the Good News about Jesus in a down-to-earth and accessible format. Whilst these publications are free, a donation helps us cover the printing and production costs, and supports our wider ongoing work as a church in the community. 

Frank just happens to be over 80 years old (!), but he loves nothing more than being able to get out and meet people in the community, chat to his 'regulars' each week, offer a wise, listening ear to the local community. For a number of people, many of whom are elderly, or lonely, having the opportunity to stop and talk with Frank, and read the War Cry, is nothing short of a lifeline. If someone asks, Frank is always ready to share his own personal experience of God's love and his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Why not encourage Frank in his valuable street ministry by making a donation to our ongoing work, enabling us to cover the cost of our outreach publications? 

Please help if you can by making a donation to us through JustGiving.

Thank you & God bless you.

Majors Ashley & Nasreen Dawson (Church Leaders / Corps Officers)

With the current cost-of-living crisis, thousands of people are expected
 to turn to The Salvation Army for help this winter. In over 650
communities across the UK, we will be doing all we can for them,
whatever their circumstances.