Charity boss asks people to spare a thought on Homeless Sunday

Amelia Luffrum, founder of Hospitality and Hope, is putting out a plea in the lead up to Homeless Sunday, which falls on January 24.

The mum-of-two, who was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the New Year’s Honours List, says the charity has had 11 ‘street sleepers’ through its doors in the last six months.

She said: “These aren’t the only people who need help. There are also a lot of people who don’t have a roof of their own and are sleeping on people’s sofas when they shouldn’t really be staying there. If the landlord finds out they could all lose their home. I’m hoping that Homeless Sunday will make people think more about it, especially with it being so cold at the minute, how do people survive sleeping on the street?”

Hospitality and Hope is raising funds for a project to turn the former Duncan’s Pet Shop, next to Chichester Metro station, into a community cafe and accommodation for homeless people.

Ms Luffrum added: “The accommodation would allow for five homeless or disadvantaged men to live as a family, with help from a support worker, and the cafe downstairs would be open to the public, raising funds for the charity. The whole project is costing about half a million but we’re £100,000 short at the moment.

“We’re hoping people will make a donation or do something to raise funds for the charity.”

To make a donation, call 0191 420 3336, go to www.hospitalityandhope.co.uk or text Hosp23, followed by the amount, for example Hosp23 £10, to 70070.