Hackney Night Shelter has begun its winter appeal to raise £60,000 for a new women’s shelter with a Christmas card launch at The Star of Hackney Downs pub.
The event celebrated the launch of its annual Christmas card on 10 November and featured a speech from director Mark Palframan.
“We’re very motivated to open this [shelter] in the new year, [which] the cards are in aid of,” he said.
Nine Hackney-based shops have agreed to stock the cards.
“It’s about raising awareness,” Palframan said. “One of the strengths of this charity is that it’s been going for nearly 30 years and there’s loads of community support.”
The event also featured live music from Rob Currie, 31, and poetry from shelter volunteer Stevie Grant, 33.
Hackney Night Shelter has six full-time staff and over 200 volunteers which help maintain the main shelter’s 20 bed spaces all year-round.
Last year, 211 people used its services.
Hackney Downs Councillor, Michael Desmond said: “[While] it’s great there will be a new Women’s Shelter next year, the Christmas Appeal should not have to wait for Santa, to reach its target.”
With support from the Hackney community, the women’s shelter would provide a safe place to sleep for more than 100 women.
Palframan explained that a third of those currently using the shelter were employed.
“Housing in London is really expensive and difficult to find, if you’re renting and you get kicked out, unless you’ve got thousands of pounds ready to put down as a deposit, you’re really stuffed.”
In the last month, the shelter has had 12 people move on to more permanent places of residence.
“The majority of people move on to longer term accommodation, so there is a good progression from more temporary places, that’s what we’re doing,” Palframan said.
Joshua Haining is a freelance news reporter for The Daily Telegraph. He has written previously written for The Times and The Northern Echo, where he reported on news and culture.