Sponsor my 88hrs Volunteering & Reserve 31 places at Crisis Christmas

It’s that time of year again!

I know many of you recognise this fundraiser and are ready to just give your money already because it’s your tradition! Click below to go straight to the donate page.

>> Sponsor my Christmas Volunteering at www.justgiving.com/page/georgelondoncc23. <<

Crisis Christmas 2023

Later today (Wed 20 Dec) the Crisis Christmas 2023 centres will be open and filling up with guests, and the Week 1 volunteer teams will be doing their wonderful stuff!

As many of you know, the main project now runs across two weeks (15 days), in three residential hotels (574 individual guest rooms) as well as three day centres (900 daily guest visitors). In addition, a two week 'Extension' model similar to the last three years will run in one of the hotels, creating a month-long project for 148 of those guests who will benefit the most from extended support. This will particularly target those who are new to sleeping rough.

This all looks very different than it did just a few years ago. A longer period means better access to services that would usually be unavailable during Christmas week, but it does make it much harder to get volunteers and donated spaces. Residential centres are now in hotels with individual guest rooms instead of sleeping hundreds in school gyms or derelict warehouses, with working showers, and spaces that work better for advice and support.

But the completely different needs means much more of the project relies on finance to pay for space and expertise that used to come solely from direct gifts and volunteers.

>> Support Crisis at www.justgiving.com/page/georgelondoncc23. <<

Running in hotels with professional kitchens, cleaning, security, and with expert support from case workers, means there is reduced need for volunteers and our teams are much smaller. But still, hundreds of specialist and general volunteers will bring back much of the communal activities, services and support that Crisis Christmas has always offered.

For thousands of guests in day centres and residential hotels, we will provide the Christmas that Crisis is loved for; a warm safe space, companionship and conversation, the chance to make real life changes, and support for real improvements in circumstances for vulnerable people experiencing homelessness right now.

This evolution is vital and is proving to be hugely effective, but it does mean that your donations are more crucial than ever to help make it all happen.

>> Donate at www.justgiving.com/page/georgelondoncc23. <<

My Volunteering This Year

I’ll be Assistant Team Leader again this year at one of the central London hotels. My team will run the centre during the second week, on seven nightshifts between 28 Dec and 05 Jan. Last year I also volunteered for 12 afternoon shifts at the extension hotel later in January, and I’m hoping to do that again for at least one shift.

Together, we help provide:

• somewhere warm, dry, and safe to stay.

• companionship and support.

• essential food and festive treats.

• health and wellbeing programmes.

• advice on housing, employment and benefits.

• year-round support with training and education.

• the chance to leave homelessness behind for good.

Thinking of Joining Us?

If you're thinking of joining us as a volunteer, we still have lots of room on the nightshifts! Click on the link below or ask me for more info (but before I start on the 28th please!)

>> Volunteer at www.crisis.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer <<

Your Wonderful Support

I started volunteering with Crisis Christmas in 2008. According to my spreadsheet (yes, I'm that person!) I've worked on 125 shifts to date and donated around 1400hours of shift time (not counting training and prep). According to the same spreadsheet, since 2010 you have donated £27,065 including Gift Aid. Last year you gave more than ever before; over £3,250!

For me, the stats aren’t to dazzle us, but an objective reminder that my friends and family (and their friends) blow me away more than a little each year. Giving what you can to match my volunteering, encourages me and helps support Crisis' unfortunately vital work.

>> Your Tradition at www.justgiving.com/page/georgelondoncc23. <<

£915 Target - Sponsor to match my 88 Hours Volunteering

This year’s fundraising target matches my 88 hours planned volunteering time at UK Minimum Wage of £10.42, which gives us a target of £915 and will go toward funding spaces for more than 31 vulnerable homeless adults this Christmas.

Over £3,400 of what we've raised together in the past has come from people ticking that Gift Aid box. You can do this and still remain anonymous to me, and the UK government will give an extra 25% to Crisis - redirecting the income tax you've already paid and making your donation count for even more.

How much should you sponsor?

The short answer is, 'however much you’re comfortable with'. But remember to TICK the GIFT AID box, and it's like a 25% tip!

Below some examples to help equate your donation with something;

## £8.34 + Gift Aid (= £10.42 ) matches ONE HOUR of my volunteering at the UK National Wage level)

## £23.78 + Gift Aid (= £29.73 ) reserves ONE PLACE at Crisis at Christmas

## £104.20 + Gift Aid (= £130.25 ) matches me volunteering for ONE NIGHTSHIFT at UK National Wage level)

## £118.92 + Gift Aid (= £148.65 ) reserves a TABLE FOR FIVE Christmas

## £729.40 + Gift Aid (= £911.75 ) matches volunteering for ALL MY NIGHTSHIFTS at UK National Wage level)

## £920.50 + Gift Aid (= £1,150.63 ) matches volunteering for ALL MY NIGHTSHIFTS at the REAL London Living Wage level *7)

DON'T FORGET GIFT AID!

Merry Christmas!

Times are tough, I know. As always, please take good care of yourselves and those close to you. There are other ways to extend a hand and offer a little dignity to those nearby when you’re able to and whether you’re able to donate a few pennies this year, be proud that together we’ve already raised over £27,000 since 2008!

Much love from here to there.

George. xxx

>> Click the [Give Now] button at the top of the page, or go to www.justgiving.com/page/georgelondoncc23. <<

(Don’t forget Gift Aid.)