It’s been 10 years since I did my first volunteering shift at Birmingham Christmas Shelter – it’s an incredibly special place. Every year they open to guests for several days and nights during the Christmas week, when most of the other services they rely on, take a well-earned rest and close down.

I’ve donated my time providing some Christmas day cheer singing some tunes on my guitar across the years, volunteering on reception, or having a good ole’ natter getting to know the guests in the main hall. Running a marathon will be a huge challenge - I'm relatively new to running... lost 3 toenails in my first (and only!) half marathon last year. So any support, donations, well wishes... will hugely support along the way when I'm running the 26.2 miles along the Edinburgh coast in May! 

What is the Christmas Shelter, and why do they need your support?

Doors are open 24 hours a day during Christmas week, providing hot meals and drinks, entertainment, services, emergency clothing and a safe and warm place to sleep. Guests don't need a referral and can just turn up any time of the day or night. The services we offer would simply not exist without the kindness and support of local people and local businesses. In previous years we’ve had hairdressers, counsellors, dog groomers, chiropodists… any service that we can get donated that will support the lives and experiences of our guests.

But this is just the tip of the iceberg; as a self-funded charity, the other 51 weeks of the year involve a lot of planning and fundraising to ensure every Christmas runs smoothly – costing about £25,000 each year to run. Cash donations are particularly useful as they pay for the heating of the building, insurances, hire of security, groceries and hire and storage of essential equipment.

I know the cost of living is at an all-time high. If money is tight and you’re not able to donate, you can help out in many other ways:

• Register to volunteer here: https://www.birminghamchristmasshelter.org/volunteering
• Have a skill or service you can offer during
  shelter week? Get in touch!
• Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BirminghamChristmasShelter
  
• Set The Birmingham Christmas Shelter as your Amazon Smile charity: https://smile.amazon.co.uk/ 
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