Spare a thought for the city's homeless this festive season

Just over a week from now, you might find yourself sitting down to enjoy Christmas dinner with family and friends but spare a thought for those who find themselves homeless and alone this year.
By The Newsroom
Published 14th Dec 2017, 08:38 BST
Updated 14th Dec 2017, 08:43 BST
Craig, who is helping support Glasgow City Missions' Christmas AppealCraig, who is helping support Glasgow City Missions' Christmas Appeal
Craig, who is helping support Glasgow City Missions' Christmas Appeal

That’s the message from local charity Glasgow City Mission who have launched their Christmas Appeal.

They need your help to provide more than 300 Christmas dinners this year in the lead up to Christmas and on Christmas day itself.

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Guests at their Christmas dinner parties will enjoy a three-course turkey dinner with all the trimmings and crucially, great company and good fun.

Graham Steven, partnerships manager, said: “Christmas can be a very lonely and challenging time for many of our guests. They can feel excluded from the festive fun that others enjoy, and be reminded of painful pasts and broken relationships.

“Our supporters and members of the public do a fantastic job at helping us put on the best Christmas dinner for our guests and we’re appealing to them once more this year to help us provide a Christmas that’s memorable for all the right reasons”.

Among the guests this year will be Craig.

Now 36, Craig was born into a family of alcoholics and grew up amidst chaotic surroundings.

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He found acceptance and purpose in gang culture and discovered drink, drugs and crime.

Following a spell in prison, his close friend died of a heroin overdose. It was at this point, Craig reached out for help.

Coming to Glasgow City Mission, he found food, compassionate staff and help to access rehab. Craig, now clean, has his own flat and volunteers at the charity and works at local café The Wild Olive Tree on Buchanan Street.

He said: “Christmas day is hard for anyone for anyone homeless. It can be the day it goes wrong. I used to be in chaos at Christmas.

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“I’ve never been clean at Christmas before. I’d be getting money off my family for drugs. This year, I’ll be giving something back by helping at Glasgow City Mission”.

Graham added: “Many of us struggle to know how best to help but supporting Glasgow City Mission’s Christmas Appeal this year is a good place to start.

“It will provide the best Christmas dinner in Glasgow for someone battling homelessness but also the opportunity to get to know people like Craig and connect them to our year-round services that will help them move forwards in life.”

It’s just £7 to donate the cost of a Christmas dinner.

You can donate online at www.glasgowcitymission.com/christmas, send a cheque payable to ‘Glasgow City Mission’ to ‘Freepost Glasgow City Mission’, or call 0141 221 2630.

More information can be found at www.glasgowcitymission.com.

Related topics:Buchanan Street