Fundraisers are asking for help to create long lasting solutions to the problems causing homelessness this Christmas.

The Oxfordshire Homeless Movement wants to seize the opportunity created by a scheme to help people who have been brought in off the streets to avoid catching Covid, some of whom have never taken up the offer of help before.

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The movement, which acts as an umbrella all organisations working to tackle homelessness in the county is appealing for public donations to fund its work this Christmas.

And the Oxford Mail is backing this campaign, as it has for the past two years.

Oxford Mail:

OHM's logo

This year, the first £20,000-worth of donations made between Tuesday, December 8 and Friday, January 8 will be match funded by Oxfordshire Community Foundation.

This means that a typical £30 donation will actually be worth £67.50 with gift aid included.

In March, the Government started a programme called Everyone In which has helped to house tens of thousands of rough sleepers from across UK.

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While it was first aimed at stopping homeless people from catching Covid, it is now moving on to finding permanent homes for people who have refused help before.

In Oxford alone, 241 people have been accommodated.

Oxford Mail:

Tracy, a former rough sleeper helped by Oxfordshire Homeless Movement, with her dog.​

Jane Cranston, who chairs OHM, said: “There are now people coming in who haven’t been inside for years, and who are recognising that they can accept help.

"They’ve been let down before by the system, but we don’t want to let them down again. So please help us not to waste this opportunity, provided by the rather unusual circumstances of the pandemic.”

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OHM hopes its Christmas appeal can help create a lasting impact, not only for the people who have been brought in from the streets, but also for those facing the threat of being made newly homeless.

You can donate online at oxfordshirehomelessmovement.org/donate or by sending a cheque to Oxfordshire Homeless Movement, PO Box 941, Oxford OX1 9TQ.

The Oxford Mail's editor Pete Gavan said: ‘I’m pleased for the Oxford Mail to throw its weight behind this important campaign. Homelessness as an issue in and around Oxford is something that we can all play a part in helping to be tackled. It becomes even more pressing as we get towards the coldest time of the year.

“So if you can, please make a donation to this important cause.”

Oxford Mail:

A rough sleeper's bedding in Oxford earlier this year

Mike Rowley, Oxford City Council's cabinet member for affordable housing and housing the homeless, said: "Oxfordshire Homeless Movement continue to bring forward the voice of lived experience in shaping the services we provide to prevent and relieve rough sleeping.

"Oxford City Council is backing Oxfordshire Homeless Movement’s third Christmas Appeal and I’d ask everyone who wants an end to rough sleeping to donate and help to make their wish a reality.”