WIRRAL BUSINESS
by Wirral Chamber of Commerce
BACK THE RUCKSACK CHALLENGE
A campaign to support the homeless has been launched by
The Lauries, supported by Wirral Chamber of Commerce
and Birkenhead BID.
The Lauries Rucksack Challenge 2017 initiative will collect donations
from the public and Wirral’s business community to be used by YMCA
Wirral and the Charles Thompson Mission to help homeless and rough
sleepers over the winter months ahead.
Last year hundreds of rucksacks, sleeping bags, warm clothing,
blankets, food and toiletry items were donated by businesses and
individuals, collected at drop-off donation points at Egerton House
(2 Tower Road, Birkenhead CH41 1FN) Pacific Road Business Hub
(Pacific Road, Birkenhead CH41 1LY) and The Lauries (142 Claughton
Road, Birkenhead CH41 6EY).
This was echoed by Nigel Hughes, CEO at YMCA Wirral, “We are
very conscious of weather conditions as we approach the Christmas
period. If you’re out on the streets or if you’re living on very, very low
means and struggling even in heating a home, then initiatives like the
Rucksack Challenge are of vital importance.”
Staff and volunteers of YMCA Wirral will be on duty again this year
at its Night Shelter – which has been operating since 2008 - trying to
ensure that no one has to survive, or even die, on the streets, and also to
provide hot meals and a warm place to stay over the Christmas period.
By donating items and filling a rucksack or bag you can make a real
difference in bringing some festive cheer to Wirral’s homeless, so please
help if you can by filling and donating a Rucksack of vital life-saving
items:
Year after year Wirral’s business community and public have
generously donated many life-saving items for both YMCA Wirral
and the Charles Thompson Mission, this year The Lauries Rucksack
Challenge is looking to be bigger and better in collecting items which
will make a real difference to many people’s lives. Speaking on behalf of
The Lauries, Paula Basnett of Wirral Chamber of Commerce said, “In
2016 we were overwhelmed by number of items collected, and on the
run in to this Christmas period we will once again be looking to get a
response which shows that Wirral, its people, and its businesses have
big hearts and great generosity.” ITEMS TO DONATE:
According to the latest UK figures, collected in the autumn of 2016 and
published in January 2017, 4,134 people are estimated to be sleeping
rough on any one night. There was an increase of 16% from 2015 to
2016, and since 2010 rough sleeping estimates show an increase of
134%. The East of England has seen the biggest percentage increase in
rough sleeping since last year (44%). This is followed by the North West
(42%), East Midlands (23%) and the North East (18%), all have seen
rough sleeping increase above the national average. •
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74 wirrallife.com
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Hat
Scarf
Gloves
Fleece
Flask
Jumpers
Clothing
New Under-
wear (male
and female)
Socks
Waterproof
Kagool
Blanket
Small Water
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Bottle
Sleeping Bag
Deodorants
Shampoos
Shower Gel
Shaving Foam
Wipes
Conditioners
Fem-Packs
Tissues
Toothbrushes
Chap Sticks
Wind Up
Torch
Hi-Energy
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Bars
Potatoes
Peas
Soup
Carrots
Beans
Sweetcorn (all
tinned)
Cranberry
Sauce
Gravy
Mint Sauce
Apple Sauce
For more information, please contact 0151 650 6940 or email:
[email protected]