Christmas appeal to support the homeless launches next month

From December 8, shoppers will be able to choose from a list of items to donate to homeless charity Loose Ends to provide Christmas parcels for the 23 people known to be living on the streets in the town. The items will include toiletries, hats and gloves.
There will also be face-painting and a hunt-the-elf on-the-shelf competition to keep children entertained during the Christmas grocery shop.
Loose Ends community liaison officer Sue Armstrong-Follows sent thanks to Tesco Metro for its support, as well as Waitrose Newbury, Nandos, Pret-A-Manger and Newbury Baptist Church, who have provided continued support throughout the year.
She said: “Without all this support from our community, the homeless and vulnerable in Newbury and surrounding areas would struggle to remain healthy, dry, clean and fed.
“We will continue to see an increase in homelessness due to the benefit system changing, mental health issues, the cost of living, and lack of affordable housing.
“Volunteers are needed to help run the sessions and to pick up and drop off clothing and bedding.
“We have had a fantastic response from schools and churches in the area for harvest festival and are very thankful for their yearly donations of food.”
For more details or to get involved, visit www.looseendsnewbury.org