The Homeless Street Angels headquarters at Abi House on Sheepscar Court hosted the event today (Sunday) ahead of their plans to distribute 100 rucksacks filled with gifts and necessities to the homeless on Christmas Eve.
The charity was co-founded by twin sisters Shelley and Becky Joyce as a way to honour their sister after her death in 2017.
Shelley said: “The local community came out to help wrap the presents and we will take them out on Christmas Eve.
“It’s a brilliant thing to do every year because some of the people who we give them to won’t get a present or anything at all this year.”
The event was held at Abi House, which was opened this year after years of “fundraising like mad” and campaigning.
Shelley said: “We’re so grateful for everyone coming out to help out and get involved.”
To help with their Christmas fundraising campaign the charity has released a Christmas song based on the songs from The Greatest Showman. They’ve also uploaded a video on YouTube which you can view by clicking here.
Shelley said: “We picked it to tell the story of our dreams coming true when we opened Abbey House and show what we do here.
“But with the running costs of the support centre it’s even more important that people put their hands in their pockets to help now.
“It’s absolutely life-saving the work that we do.”
The sisters said that the charity has seen a decline in donations this year as people struggle with the cost of living, with Becky saying: “We are really overwhelmed today because this is the first year we have noticed a huge drop off.
“We usually get loads of Christmas dinner hampers out but this year we’ve only had one turkey crown.
“There are 973 families on our food bank list now and we are really struggling.
“A lot of charities and churches have said the same thing. They are desperate for donations and they are just not getting them.”
Shelley added: “We’ve seen a huge influx of clients. The demographics are changing. It’s not people out of work or with addictions but families who are asking for help with food.
“It’s a really tough time. It’s a heat or eat situation.”
To donate to the charity visit the Just Giving page and to find out more visit their website.
Check out our photographer’s photos from the gift-wrapping event below.
1. Here to help
Blakeley Lister, eight, helps with arranging the gifts after having her face painted. | Steve Riding
2. Family
Shelley and Beck Joyce, Co founders of Homeless Street Angels, with their mother Mary Hunt and nephew Reggie Joyce, two. | Steve Riding
3. Christmas wrapping
Jane Storr of Bramley helps wrapping presents at the Homeless Street Angels headquarters at Abi House on Sheepscar Court. | Steve Riding
4. Heartfelt heroes
Sandra Hartley wrapping a present for the Homeless Street Angels, who will hand out 100 bags to the homeless on Christmas Eve containing presents and items. | Steve Riding
5. Santa's little helpers
Santa's little helpers, Elise Mackay, 12, Leah Mackay, 12 and Rio Mackay-O'Rourke, six, help out. | Steve Riding
6. Founders
Becky and Shelley Joyce, Co Founders of Homeless Street Angels. The sisters have said that they have struggled for gifts this year and have urged anyone who can to donate. | Steve Riding