... (and won’t be affected by the Royal Mail)
Instead of buying socks this Christmas, why not buy a Christmas gift from the Virtual Gifts catalogue from St Mungo’s – London’s largest charity for homeless people – and buy a present that could actually make a life changing difference to someone who really needs it? The Virtual Gifts catalogue contains innovative presents that support a wide range of homeless needs, including health checks, literacy training, toiletries and fresh clothing. There is even the opportunity to provide vet care for dogs (a dog is often a homeless person’s only companion), or even a set of gardening tools, or lunch money so that someone can join one of our vocational training programmes. Simply choose how you would like to support London’s homeless, go online at www.mungos.org/shop and order the gift. St Mungo’s will send you a thank you card and a voucher that you can personalise and pass on to a friend or family member as a unique and imaginative Christmas gift. The Virtual Gifts programme will launch on 26th October 2009. Last year’s Virtual Gifts catalogue raised over £30,000 to directly help those needing support, and this year with the aid of an e-commerce site, St Mungo’s hopes to raise much more. Celebrating their 40th anniversary this year, the St Mungo’s story is filled with innovation, dedication and success in helping homeless people in London. This year, for example, St Mungo’s clients volunteering on the long running gardening programme Putting Down Roots, contributed to an award winning showcase garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, while the new Endell Street recording studio welcomed international jazz artist Madeleine Peyroux who performed with some St Mungo’s residents using music as part of their journey out of homelessness. In the last year St Mungo’s helped 450 people off the streets, provided accommodation for 1,400 people every night and helped more than 2,300 clients access work and learning programmes. St Mungo’s is London’s largest charity for homeless people, offering emergency services to rough sleepers, supporting homeless people in their recovery, and working to prevent homelessness - 24 hours per day, 365 days a year, and Christmas is no exception.
Full gift list is... - Give a dog a home £8 - Safe warm bed, health check and healthy meal £50 - Depression counselling £45 - Literacy training £50 - Keep an outreach team going £150 - Phone call £10 - Health check £15 - Present £20 - Fresh start £25 - 2 weeks lunch £32 - Gardening tool kit £35 - You choose £Up to you
