BBC Radio 4 Christmas Appeal

Your Christmas Appeal donations are already making a difference. But with freezing weather continuing into January, many people are still at risk and need your support right now.  

The Christmas Appeal continues – will you help someone stay safe from the cold?

‘Home’ means something different to everyone. For many of us, it’s a warm meal, a safe place to sleep, family and belonging. However, the truth is, far too many people will be without a home this Winter. But you can change that – a donation today will help us support people with emergency grants or household items that help make a house a home.

Although the festive season is now behind us, the need has not gone away. Winter in the UK remains bitterly cold and people without a safe, secure home are still facing freezing nights, isolation and hardship. That’s why our Christmas Appeal remains open throughout January and we still urgently need your help.

Gary, who left the family home when his relationship broke down. He was struggling with his mental health and a dependency on alcohol – and staying in a series of rooms in B&Bs only compounded his isolation and despair. A grant from our emergency fund made it possible for Gary to secure the lease on a flat near his family. He’s working hard on his recovery and being able to see his children regularly means the world to him.

You can hear more stories from the people helped by St Martin’s Charity by listening to Making a Difference with Hugh Dennis, and hear how you can change the lives of more people facing homelessness this Winter.

And we need your support now more than ever, as the challenge we face remains significant. Our most recent survey of Frontline Workers, the professionals working directly with people experiencing homelessness, found an 85% increase in demand on their services since last year.

Listen back to the BBC Radio 4 Christmas Appeal with St Martin-in-the-Fields, made by Revd Dr Sam Wells:
– Sunday 7th December 7:54am

Hugh Dennis reports in Making A Difference how your donations to the Radio 4 Christmas Appeal with St Martin-in-the-Fields have helped change the lives of people like Gary who are experiencing, or who are at risk of, homelessness:

– Sunday 7th December 9:45am

”I didn’t have any choices at that time. It was either leave and be homeless, or get thrown out because of all of the arguments. So I made the choice to leave, to better myself, and for my kids as well.”