St Christopher’s Fellowship raising£20,000 to help children in care

St Christopher’s is a charity based in Putney that aims to create brighter futures for children and young people. They do this by providing fostering, residential homes and support services where children and young people can feel safe and cared for.

Their appeal puts a spotlight on the issue of young people’s loneliness. Last month a nationwide survey revealed that 16 – 24 year olds are lonelier than any other age group. This is particularly the case for young care leavers who find themselves living on their own for the first time. Some don’t have a family they can call on for support when they need it, and they may find themselves facing the prospect of being on their own on Christmas Day.

But St Christopher’s want to change things. They want to ensure that young people keep important relationships with their children’s home and can pop back for a chat, to stay the night, and of course for Christmas Day.

With your help, this Christmas can be special for children in care and young care leavers. Your donation could buy Christmas presents and Christmas lunch for a children’s home. Or it could buy a train ticket so that a young care leaver can be at their children’s home for Christmas, so they don’t spend the day alone. A young person who lives at one of St Christopher’s 16+ homes said: “I don’t know where I would be without St Christopher’s. It is like a family.”

Jonathan Whalley, Chief Executive of St Christopher’s, said, “Many of us take it for granted that we can be with our families on Christmas Day, but sadly this often isn’t the case for young care leavers. So we want to make sure our young people are welcome at their children’s home and don’t have to spend Christmas alone. Every donation to our Christmas Appeal will make a difference, and help us to make sure our young people feel safe, happy and loved - not just at Christmas, but every single day.”

Support the appeal at stchris.org.uk/Christmas

November 28, 2018