post

Queensgate Shopping Centre recently announced YMCA Cambridgeshire & Peterborough as their charity of the year 2016/17. As part of the partnership YMCA will be organising a variety of events to raise funds and awareness of YMCA services in the city. One of the planned activities is Christmas Wrapping over the festive period. All the money raised from Christmas wrapping with go towards helping to provide a young person with a safe place to stay over the Christmas period at our Time Stop emergency accommodation. In 2015 our Time Stop emergency accommodation in Peterborough was able to provide a safe place to stay for 136 young people who had nowhere else to turn. Through the one to one support Time Stop key workers provide, they have been able to facilitate 14 young people moving back home and 11 young people were able to move onto independent living in the community.

Imagine how you would cope if you became homeless through no fault of your own. Maybe you were fleeing an arranged marriage? Or escaping from physical, mental or sexual abuse? Or your parent has found a new partner who simply doesn’t want you around? Where would you go? How isolated would you feel?

Christmas is a time of year where young people should feel secure and welcome not vulnerable and scared no knowing where they will sleep next or eat a decent meal. YMCA Cambridgeshire and Peterborough helps young people in this situation feel safe so they can start to rebuild their lives.

We are looking for members of the public to join Team YMCA to help us wrap gifts to raise funds to help as many young people in the city this Christmas. We are delighted to announce that Norwich and Peterborough Building Society has come on board as our lead partners over December.

Alison Ross, Commercial Lending Officer, said: “We’re delighted to be able to help the YMCA raise money for their Time Stop emergency accommodation. Not only does the YMCA offer young people a safe place to stay they also help them make positive decisions for the future to get their lives back on track.

“At N&P Building Society we’re committed to being part of the community and this is one of the many ways we can help others. No-one asks to be homeless – it could happen to any one of us. But we feel we can all do our bit – no matter how small – to help.”

Other organisations and individuals that are supporting us with Christmas Wrapping this year so far include: Queensgate Shopping Centre, Miss Catwalk Perfect UK, BGL, Miss Galaxy Rutland, Peterborough Royals, Peterborough Rugby Club and Newborough Women’s Institute.

Mark Broadhead, Centre Director at Queensgate Shopping Centre, said:

“We’re delighted to welcome the YMCA into the centre this Christmas and help those that need a hand when it comes to the art of gift wrapping. Whether you’ve bought a watch from Fraser Hart or the newest gadget from John Lewis, the YMCA team of festive wrappers can manage all shapes and sizes. For a small donation, you’ll be helping even more people enjoy this Christmas time.”

We still have a number of slots available so if you would like to give up a day or an hour of your time or know an organisation that may want to get involved. Please contact fundraising@theymca.org.uk or call: 01778 346952.

Help us spread some festive joy this this Christmas.