According to The North East Child Poverty Commission, In the constituency Newcastle upon Tyne, 43% of children are living below the poverty line – with the very highest rates being in the most deprived wards of the city including the West End of Newcastle.

This shocking statistic has compelled the Temple committee, congregation and wider community to do something to help these families in their time of desperate time of need. The forthcoming festive holiday period is even harder for parents and children who are off school to be able to make ends meet. Hindu Temple Newcastle is based in the heart of the West End of Newcastle, which is one of the most affected and disadvantaged wards in the city for child poverty, and we feel it is our duty to step up and help those suffering and living within the shadow of the Temple itself.

This year again, we have teamed up with Project Santa who work directly with the West End Schools trust whos members are right in the heart of the community and best placed to identify those families that will struggle and can do with a little help this year. Through this network families affected will get direct help that they need.

We are raising money to buy food which will make up food parcels that will be distributed to the families through the schools. The 'Festive Food Bags' will contain some staple and easy to cook food items as well as some treats for the family to enjoy over the festive holiday.

In the Bhagvad Gita Lord Krishna says...

“When a person responds to the joys and sorrows of others as if they were his own, he has attained the highest state of spiritual union.”

Please help to give as little or as much as you can afford.