Harrogate Borough Council
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Christmas hamper raffle for the homeless
AS Christmas approaches, many people have started to
prepare their homes for the festivities getting ready to welcome
friends and family. From filling the freezer
with food, to getting the decorations down from the loft.
However, for 150 homeless families in the district, the
picture is a different one. These families face
the stark reality of having to spend Christmas in a hostel for the
homeless or in temporary accommodation.
But warm hearted staff in the housing temporary accommodation
and hostel warden teams hope to bring a little bit of Christmas
cheer for them by raising funds through a districtwide raffle to
provide 150 food hampers for the festive holidays.
Councillor Jean Butterfield, Cabinet Member for Housing,
said: "No one wants to see families in hostels
or temporary accommodation particularly at this time of year. But
when demand outstrips supply there is no choice.
Our staff did a raffle last year just within their own housing team
but this year they really wanted to go all out to give a bit more
help. Of course, thankfully, many of those
helped last year will be spending Christmas in their own
homes.
"I also want to say a big thank you to the staff who have been
working in their own time to set up the raffle.
They have set themselves a target of raising £2,000."
The council has been amazed at the generosity of businesses in
the district, which have provided a marvellous range of prizes for
the raffle. And particular thanks to Sainsbury's
for their help and general support but also for the generous
donation of the star prize, a 28" widescreen colour
television.
Tickets cost £1 each and are available at all the
council's cash offices, Sainsbury's customer service desk and
Tourist Information Centres. The draw will be
made on 9 December.
As well as the TV, other prizes include meals at Horoscope,
Loch Fyne, Pinnocchios, Sasso and Yaks Mongolian Experience,
tickets for Romeo and Juliet, vouchers for Saks, Haircuttery and
Nidd Hall, books, wine and much much
more. ENDS
FURTHER INFORMATION: Councillor
Jean Butterfield is available for comment on 01423
770381. More information about the raffle is
available from Mr Alan Jenks, Head of Housing on 01423
556849.