AN APPEAL has been launched for volunteers to help give homeless people a helping of festive cheer this Christmas.
The Coventry Open Christmas project has been running for over 30 years and sees kind-hearted volunteers give up their Christmas Day to help make someone else’s special, with those who are homeless receiving a hot dinner and a warm place to sleep.
This year the project will be back helping people at their pre-Covid Christmas shelter of Queens Road Baptist Church, where 24-hour support, including overnight sleeping spaces, will be offered.
At least 100 volunteers are needed to assist with running the shelter, along with cash, food, bedding and clothing donations.
And Coventry has offered plenty of festive kindness over the years, with residents donating clothes, food, and offering entertainment to the cause.
Guests are given Christmas presents and clean warm clothes to wear and could have their hair trimmed if needed.
Last year the project was able to gain over 100 extra volunteers and thousands of food items were donated along with £3,000.
Operations manager Natasha Leese said there was no need for anyone to be alone this festive season.
“This year we understand people from all walks of life are suffering due to the cost of living crisis.
“It is more important this year than any other that we will rely on people donating money and food to the shelter.
“We are expecting huge numbers of people needing our support over Christmas, even if they only have a few hours to spare, it will help so much”.
The project’s annual volunteer meeting will be held on at 7pm on Monday, December 5, at Queens Road Baptist Church.
Visit https://www.coventryopenchristmas.co.uk to volunteer.
