When I was growing up in Canada if someone’s barn burned down, the Mennonites came and built them another one.

This Christmas a member of the Wolvercote community is in a crisis and I’m hoping we’ll band together in a similar way. Lara FairyLove Stockbridge, whom most of us know for her wonderful work every year helping the homeless at Christmas, is at risk of becoming homeless herself when she has to leave her rented accommodation on December 21st. She has a damaged boat that she spends chilly days working on to make habitable, but is sorely lacking in materials and resources to get it ready in time.

Here is a breakdown of just a few of Lara's costs: plumber and plumbing to get the burner in - £500; windows and welding - £1000; electrician and solar hook-up - £400; two double-mattresses - £300.

It you can support Lara, please do. It would be great to her and her family safe and warm in their new home before Christmas.