Christmas and New Year are usually a time to eat, drink and be merry, but for lots of families living right here in our district this year will be very different. With rising living costs, energy prices at record highs and a cut in the Universal Credit payment, this winter looks deeply uncertain for many. People are facing real hardship and the prospect of going hungry and skipping meals just so they can pay the bills - a choice between eating and heating.

In the UK, more than 14 million people are living in poverty including 4.5 million children* and our district is no exception to this hardship, with many people using Horsham Foodbank for the first time over the past year.

Horsham Matters aims to make life a little easier for those in crisis this festive season. As well as emergency food, we will be providing those Christmas luxuries that most of us take for granted; our food banks will be open over the Christmas period; and we are here with fuel vouchers for those in need and household items for those being newly housed.

We are once again asking for your support to help us spread some Christmas cheer. Your donation, however small, will make a difference to those in crisis this Christmas and beyond.

What your donations can fund:

£15 will fund 3 days emergency food for a single person using the foodbank

£30 will fund a voucher for someone who is experiencing fuel poverty

£40 will buy a single mattress for a homeless person being newly housed

£160 will fund a small fridge for a vunerabe person with special need

£1800 will run our mobile Foodbank vehicle for a month including support services

If you fancy getting into the Christmas spirit and taking on some fundraising with the support of your family and friends, a pack of posters, tips and ideas is available from fundraising@horsham-matters.org.uk plus promotional materials. The choice is yours, will you run a festive bake sale? Go carol singing? Have a Christmas jumper day or Christmas card amnesty at work? Charity New Year's Eve party? The more creative the better and you will be helping those in need in your local community.

*Source: The Trussell Trust