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.
8. Homeless Street Angels
Jean Cooper of Whitkirk hard at work for the good cause. | Steve Riding
9. Rucksacks
Mustapha Dadoh of Harehill helps out with the rucksacks, which are to be handed out to the homeless on Christmas Eve. | Steve Riding
