Dozens of boxes of clothing and non-perishable groceries, together with cash donations of over £1,000, are being delivered to Bristol charity Caring at Christmas this week by staff at the Bristol office of independent property adviser GVA.
Caring at Christmas runs a shelter for the homeless or vulnerably housed over the Christmas period and relies on donations to provide the support comfort and care for those in need.
So having supported the charity for the last three years with food donations, staff at GVA wanted to do something extra this year, so as well as donating over 221 kg of food and clothing, they also raised over £1000 in just one evening through a raffle and auction.
At a Christmas gathering for staff and clients, held at GVA’s offices at St Catherine’s Court, auction prizes such as a weekend in a luxury Mayfair hotel and tickets to the Capital One cup final at Wembley went under the hammer.
Vicky Oliver, from GVA, who organised the collection, said, “In just under a week, we’ve managed to collect an impressive amount of food and clothing, which Caring at Christmas will put to really good use over the Christmas period.
“We’d like to thank everyone – members of staff, clients and local businesses – who so kindly donated prizes for our auction and raffle as well, which has meant we can also give cash to the charity. This will all help to ensure that those who visit their shelter over the next couple of weeks have plenty of hot food and clothing.”
Caring at Christmas serves around 300 hot meals a day over the Christmas period. By requesting non-perishable goods, GVA has been able to donate items such as cereals, rice and pasta, as well as biscuits, tea and coffee, and tins of soup.
Over the Christmas week Caring at Christmas will be providing the only 24 hour shelter in the city for those who would have nowhere else to go at this time of the year. It offers fifty beds, and provides three meals a day, showers, clothes, a safe and friendly environment, books, a television and people to talk to. It also provides access to medical services as well as others such as chiropody, reflexology, hairdressing, live music and more.
