The total raised so far for the annual Julian House Christmas appeal has reached £40,166, representing just over a third of the campaign target of £120,000 which the charity needs to raise by 31st January.
Appeal organiser Cecil Weir is urging the public to remember that donations raised now help to fund services throughout the year.
He said: “I would urge the public to remember that it is still really tough being out on the streets and their support for our Christmas appeal not only helps to change lives it literally saves them.”
Julian House currently provides 30 emergency bed spaces which are available for single men and women who find themselves on the streets with no other housing options.
Over recent months demand for these spaces has been extremely high. This is evidenced by the fact that the number of rough sleepers who are have to sleep out in car parks and shop doorways has often been more than 20. The charity is working tirelessly to reduce this figure.
Mr Weir hopes that the relatively mild spell over recent days doesn’t stop people giving.
He continued: “It would definitely suit our clients if it stayed mild from now until April but that’s not going to happen.
“Winter will arrive with a bang and Julian House will be the only safety net for those on the streets. That’s when we’ll put up extra army surplus campaign beds, to try and get absolutely everyone off the streets.
“We can’t sustain that resources stretch indefinitely but the staff are heroic in what they’ll do to support these most vulnerable individuals. Without the public’s support this simply wouldn’t be possible.”
Donations to the campaign can be made on the Julian House website, via www.justgiving.com/julianhouse/donate or by post to 55 New King St, Bath, BA1 2BN (payable to Julian House).
