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A heartwarming fundraising drive which reconnects the homeless with loved ones at Christmas has received praise from Stephen Fry.
The actor Tweeted his support for Homeless at Christmas’ Advent Appeal to the delight of the charity’s East Kilbride co-founder Iain Hughes. The appeal is the brainchild of the Murray man and friend Colin Ross.
Five years ago the selfless pair sat in a bar discussing what it would be like to be homeless at Christmas.
A week later, on Christmas Eve, they found themselves handing out Christmas gift bags containing winter woolies and treats all over Glasgow – paid for with their own money.
They now run Homeless at Christmas.org
And their latest initiative ‘Write to Someone You Miss this Christmas’, which sees a Christmas card with a pen and stamped envelope in every gift bag, has received recognition from Stephen Fry.
With the Royal Mail’s support they are able to reach 1000 homeless men, women, teenagers and families living in poverty, helping them to stay in touch with loved ones.
Council worker Iain, 33, said: “Five years ago my friend and I were in the pub discussing what it would be like to be homeless at Christmas.
“It was a heartbreaking conversation, so we decided we didn’t want to be all talk and agreed to put our money where our mouth is.
“We were just two young guys in a Glasgow bar, normal people with normal lives and knew we could not solve any problems, but we thought we could do something, surely.
“So on Christmas Eve we started handing out Christmas gift bags to the homeless, all with our own money, and anonymously. Just having a chat and not leaving any contact details – sometimes leaving a gift bag beside them to find when they awoke.
“We wanted to include practical things in the bags, but not patronise, they had to be fun too. With chocolate coins, tangerines, Christmas gifts, just to show someone was thinking of them.”
He added: “But one of our original ideas has really blossomed. Our idea was, ‘Write To Someone You Miss This Christmas’.
“Not only does a card go into every bag, but with the support of the Royal Mail, our exclusive Christmas card and envelope with ‘a stamp attached’ is reaching hundreds and hundreds of homeless people in the UK.”
Commending the pair, Mr Fry tweeted: “A heartwarming story of two chaps that hand out gifts to the homeless every year, and now a thousand homeless will reconnect with their loved ones this Christmas because of their amazing Royal Mail initiative.”
Iain said: “Stephen Fry sending a tweet supporting us was the icing on the cake.
“Donations make a huge difference. We never thought we’d get celeb support. We can’t believe the support from friends, family and companies willing to help.”
The bags include many donations, like Baw Bags underwear, hats and snoods; knitwear from Mackies, Tunnocks treats, and hot pizza from Tony Macaroni.
Last week staff at Tennents helped by putting stamps on 1000 envelopes by hand.
Photographer Colin says of the homeless: “Having no address or living in poverty shouldn’t mean you can’t stay in touch, that’s where we want to help.
“It’s amazing to think one wee idea and only one small stamp has the potential to change, or even save a life.”
Social Bite, the social enterprise chain of cafés, help get the cards to homeless people in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
Ewain Black, of Social Bite Glasgow, said: “Homeless at Christmas do great work. Their stamped Christmas cards were warmly received.
“Giving people a way to communicate, in a small way reduces the isolation that many feel at Christmas.”
Iain and Colin are hoping the idea will have a full roll out nationally next year.
To donate visit homelessatchristmas.org.
