Volunteers again help Christmas homeless

Volunteers offered their spare time to help the homeless at a Weston-super-Mare temporary shelter during the festive period.

Homeless charity Comfort at Christmas opened its doors at St Paul's Church in Walliscote Road on Christmas Eve.

The shelter has been running in the resort for 18 years and offers food and accommodation and ensures all visitors are offered toiletries and clothing.

Committee member Christine Pratt says the first few days have been successful and the shelter remained open until today.

She said: "We had around 40 people to our curry dinner when we opened on Christmas Eve.

"We had around the same number for Christmas lunch where the guests were treated to a full turkey dinner with all the trimmings.

"We also have two televisions in the centre so our guests can watch all the Christmas programmes as well as videos and DVDs. Over the festive period we expect to have helped around 50 people.

"This year some of our guests have been women, which is quite unusual."

It usually costs around £3,000 for round-the-clock rent, heat, light, food and insurance for the few days the shelter is open.

But each year people and local businesses get into the Christmas spirit and donate cash, food and items such as bedding and toiletries to help the charity.

A team of volunteers man the centre 24 hours a day on a shift rota to ensure there is always someone at the church.

Any business or individual who wants to find out more about Comfort at Christmas or who wants to support the charity should call Malcolm on 01934 522454, Christine on 01934 512519 or Frank on 0781 6238610.