News > Goals supporting Cyrenians

                              GOLDEN WINTER APPEAL 2024

We’re proud to launch our Golden Winter Appeal 2023-24, which will help homeless and vulnerable people across Coventry and Warwickshire as we mark our 50^th anniversary.

It follows a dramatic increase in demand for our services. The number of people seeking our help has more than doubled in less than a year.

As well as providing help and support for those in need throughout the winter, the appeal will fund our annual Christmas Day event which provides a hot meal, presents and entertainment on the big day.

Our volunteers have been providing Christmas Day meals for more than 30 years. Last year, more than 100 people attended the event at the Methodist Central Hall in Coventry, with volunteers also making 12 takeaway meals.

In the Coventry area, hundreds of families and individuals are unable to provide themselves with a hot meal, either through a lack of money or facilities such as a cooker.

We hope you can support what is our most important fund-raising effort of the year by donating to our Just Giving page.

Our Chief Executive, Caron Williams, said: “Donations are needed now more than ever before. The cost of living crisis means this winter will be a huge challenge for many people.

“The Christmas Day event at the Methodist Central Hall is for anyone who doesn’t have access to a hot meal. We’re hoping the appeal will help to bring some much-needed joy and comfort not only on the big day but throughout the winter.”

The number of people seeking help from Coventry Cyrenians between April and October 2023 more than doubled to over 400, compared with the same period last year.

Occupancy rates in the charity’s properties are currently 97%, compared to the usual rate of 85%. The charity is urgently seeking more accommodation to increase capacity.

YOUR DONATION REALLY HELPS:

• £10 buys a starter kit of essentials like toiletries, underwear or sanitary products for a client.
• £15 buys a Christmas meal and daytime refreshments.
• £25 buys a week of basic groceries.
• £50 buys a resettlement pack of bedding, towels or cooking equipment for a resident moving on to independent living.

FEEDBACK FROM LAST YEAR’S CHRISTMAS DAY EVENT:

“Thank you so much, I live alone and don’t have a cooker and can’t cook.”

“Thanks for the entertainment which helped brighten up the day, meeting people from different backgrounds, and for all the effort that went into arranging everything.”

“Good Christmas gathering with lots of good people giving up their time to make other people’s Christmas a more pleasant one.”

PLEASE DONATE HERE