Sunday 4th December, 2022: Today, BBC Radio 4 and St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity launch their 96th annual Christmas Appeal – aiming to secure funds for people who need a safe place to call home. This year, donations are needed more than ever before.
Stability, warmth, safety – everything starts with a home. However, as inflation rises and the cost-of-living crisis hits households hard, tens of thousands of people face a winter with no home of their own or are at risk of losing the one they have – making it a time of instability and isolation.
St Martin’s Charity are a UK-wide homelessness charity, who work so that people experiencing homelessness can secure, and keep, a safe place to live. Last year, the charity’s Christmas Appeal with BBC Radio 4 raised over £4.5million.
Well-known names – Hugh Dennis, Jon Culshaw, Paul Lewis, Felicity Finch and the Vicar of St Martin’s, Revd Dr Sam Wells – kicked off the Appeal by volunteering at a call hub on Sunday 4 December, taking calls from donors. Pictures from the day attached.
A long-term supporter of St Martin’s Charity, TV Presenter and Comedian, Hugh Dennis, said:
“This winter, tens of thousands of people will be without the stability and security of their own home – your support is urgently needed. A simple act of kindness can turn someone’s future around.
Your donation to the BBC Radio 4 Christmas Appeal with St Martin-in-the-Fields, could be the start of someone’s journey to a safe place to call home, so please support if you can.”
Eleanor Garland, Station Executive, BBC Radio 4 said:
“Each year the listeners to BBC Radio 4 show huge generosity and kindness in donating to the Christmas Appeal with St Martin-in-the-Fields. We are so grateful to them for their continuing support. The money they give will help people all across the country to get back on their feet, find a home and new start in life.”
The first Christmas Appeal broadcast aired on BBC Radio 4 on Sunday 4 December at 07:55 and continued throughout the day, with further broadcasts taking place on Thursday 8 December and Friday 9 December.
Money raised by the Appeal will go to people experiencing homelessness as well as to support frontline workers and to fund organisations working to end and prevent homelessness.
