HO- HO- HO-! FOR LONDON'S HOMELESS

1.21.28pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 26th Nov 2004

Sarah lending a helping hand at Cricklewood Homeless Concern

Christmas comes but once a year - and if it comes at all. Each year countless Londoners face winter on the streets without friends, families or Father Christmas. But this year the homeless people of North London will be joining in the Christmas spirit - all thanks to the fundraising efforts of one very generous Irish Community.

Today the users and staff of Cricklewood Homeless Concern in Brent were visited by a Santa's sleigh with a difference - a lorry packed full with hundreds of Christmas gifts, all donated by the people of County Mayo in Ireland.

Last month, a team of fundraisers from Castlebar in County Mayo visited the centre to learn more about its work. Reflecting on the visit, fundraiser John Conwell said: "We were so impressed with the centre's work that the team started fundraising the moment we got home to Ireland. The Irish are a generous people and the response to our appeal was overwhelming. For years many Irish families in Mayo were supported by the money sent home by Irish workers in Cricklewood. This is our way of giving something back to them."

Accepting the gifts on behalf of the users of CHC, Centre Director Danny Maher said: "This is a tremendous gesture from the people of Mayo and we are all very grateful. Christmas is a difficult time for the homeless as they don't get to share in the things that make Christmas special - friends, families, turkey dinners and gifts. This delivery means a great deal to our clients - especially our Irish clients. The connection these gifts have with 'home' is very important to them."

Mr Maher added: "This year is an extremely important Christmas for our centre. We desperately need to raise £1million before the end of December to go ahead with our ambitious plans to redevelop our facility. We have a strong group of supporters who have helped us towards our target - but we still have a long way to go."

Local Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Teather was on hand to help the Cricklewood team take delivery of the gifts, and said: "It is wonderful to be here - after all it is acts of giving like this that really encapsulate the true spirit of Christmas. I know the team at Cricklewood work exceptionally hard all year round to give homeless people the help and advice they need to improve their lives. I hope people will dig deep and support CHC's plans to rebuild and expand this crucial centre."