Kind-hearted Lewisham families give £17,000 for homeless people in run-up to Christmas

Families in Lewisham gave £17,000 for homeless and poorer families in the run-up to Christmas.

The Mayor of Lewisham has thanked residents after they donated thousands to his winter appeal to support two local charities.

The money will go to the 999 Club and Lewisham food bank.

In Lewisham, one third of children are growing up in poverty and pressure on front line services is increasing.

Based in Deptford, where child poverty is at nearly 50 per cent, the 999 club supports people who are rough sleeping, otherwise homeless, are vulnerably housed, or living in temporary accommodation.

One in 43 people in the borough is experiencing homelessness – the 12th highest rate in country – while the charity estimates 50 people are rough sleeping.

The 999 Club provides The Gateway every morning from Monday to Friday, where people can get breakfast, a hot shower, do their laundry, get advice on benefits and getting work, and use computers for job searches.

It offers help with CVs, health advice, and can link people with a GP if they need medical attention; it holds classes on IT, literacy and drama.

And for the first time the night shelter has been able to stay open year-round, thanks to the government’s Rough Sleepers initiative, which granted the charity £191,000 in funding.

But this funding is only guaranteed until March – if it is not renewed the charity will not be able to keep the night shelter open year-round.

Established in 2012, Lewisham food bank provides three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to us them in crisis.

There has been a 20 per cent increase in usage in the borough over the past year – the number of food parcels given out rises year-on-year.

Speaking at Wednesday’s council meeting, Mayor Damien Egan said: “I want to say thank you to everyone who either donated or shared on social media the news about the winter appeal.

“Over that winter appeal, thanks to the generosity of local residents, we raised over £17,000 – it’s been very well received.”

Pictured is Lewisham mayor Damien Egan at the food bank