Raffle raises cash for homeless starter packs

The Hanover community has come together to form One Step Closer, a campaign to help the homeless in the city, with a launch event at St Luke's Church on Saturday (May 5).

The group's first target was to help those in emergency accommodation by supplying ‘starter packs’ of basic essentials from socks to soap.

Beverly Ann, lead campaigner, said: “Thank you everybody for coming. This all started because of a post on the Hanover Community Board because everyone was concerned about a guy who was homeless and no one knew what to do.”

More than £1,700 was raised via donations and raffle ticket sales which accumulated over 50 prizes.

The fundraiser included an arts and crafts table for children, face painting, guess the name of the bear, music and refreshments where 100 people were thought to have attended during the afternoon.

According to figures by Shelter, one in 69 people in Brighton and Hove are homeless and the latest government figures revealed the city has the biggest homeless population outside of London.

Miss Ann’s post on Facebook resulted in a community-led discussion of what more can be done to help the homeless in Brighton.

A meeting was called on February 7, which saw 12 people attend including Green Party members, retirees and students wanting to make a difference.

Dave Lisey, 23, a student at the University of Brighton who once experienced homelessness, said: “Throughout the time I was homeless, I received support from a number of organisations. However, the necessary support an individual might require isn't always made available to those who could benefit from it.”

One Step Closer aims to provide starter packs for those who are given emergency or temporary accommodation, to make their first nights more comfortable.

The starter packs will include items such as, soap, washing-up liquid, cleaning cloths, toothpaste, toilet paper and cutlery to prevent them having to go back out on the streets to beg for such items.

In collaboration with Just Life, One Step Closer aim to get the starter packs up-and-running as soon as possible, with more fundraising events to take place in the future.

To donate, visit: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/hanoverhomeless-project