Hugh narrates our Making a Difference broadcast on BBC Radio 4, and this year came with us to interview Carla, who features in the programme. Carla is being supported by The Connection at St Martin’s, who we provide funding to each year, and living in a women’s hostel after two decades of on-and-off homelessness and rough sleeping.
On why he supports us, Hugh said, “One of the things you learn working with the appeal is that for the people in this situation, none of it is down to a choice that they’ve made. It takes such tiny changes in people’s circumstances to no longer have a home – a missed mortgage payment, a trauma, a breakdown in family relationships. It’s rather frightening in many senses – a case of there but for the grace of God go I. It takes so little for everything to disappear and, once in that spiral, it’s very difficult to get out, no matter how much you want to.
“The charity gives grants to people and they’re not terribly big amounts of money, the maximum is £500, but these small amounts make an enormous difference, which is why I really encourage people to give if they can.”
“The urge for a home is common to everyone I’ve spoken to, the need for stability, warmth, family relationships. Tiny amounts of money make an enormous difference, and we are incredibly grateful to people who don’t have much money themselves. It’s a heartwarming thing.”
Read the full article here for more information about our Appeal.
