This year’s Rucksack Challenge is about to launch and we at YMCA Wirral are delighted to be working with our partners at Wirral Chamber of Commerce, The Lauries and Birkenhead BID.
Rucksack Challenge 2018, is an initiative looking to collect donations from the public and Wirral’s business community which can then be used by YMCA Wirral to support its services for the homeless and rough sleepers over the winter months and throughout the year.
Hundreds of rucksacks, sleeping bags, warm clothing, blankets, food and toiletry items were donated last year by businesses and individuals, and the organisers are keen to carry on collecting vital items which will help save lives.
There are four drop-off points at which donations can be made and the cut off date is 5th December 2018:
- Egerton House, 2 Tower Road, Birkenhead CH41 1FN
- The Lauries, 142 Claughton Road, Birkenhead CH41 6EY
- Samelco Ltd, Unit 5, Price Street Business Park, Park Street, Birkenhead CH41 3PR
- YMCA Wirral, 56 Whetstone Lane, Birkenhead CH41 2TJ
Wirral’s business community and the public had generously donated many life saving items in helping the homeless throughout the winter. By donating items and filling a rucksack or bag you can make a real difference in bringing some festive cheer to Wirral’s homeless, so please help by filling and donating a rucksack or bag of vital life saving items….. examples such as
Hat | Scarf | Gloves | Fleece | Flask | Jumpers Clothing | New Underwear (male and female) | Socks | Waterproof Kagool Blanket | Small Water Bottle | Sleeping Bag | Deodorants | Shampoos | Shower Gel | Shaving Foam | Wipes | Conditioners | FemPacks | Tissues Toothbrushes | Chap S cks | Wind Up Torch | HiEnergy Bars | Tinned goods Potatoes | Peas | Soup | Carrots | Beans | Sweetcorn | Cranberry Sauce Gravy | Mint Sauce | Apple Sauce | Soup (packets) etc.
Paula Basnett, CEO of Wirral Chamber of Commerce said, “When the cold weather arrives, it only highlights the plight that the homeless face even more, and sadly there will be some who will not survive, Rucksack Challenge donations will go some way in helping YMCA Wirral to continue providing support in offering comfort to homeless people. Wirral people, and its businesses have always had big hearts and great generosity, so once again I would ask for your support in the Rucksack Challenge 2018.”
This view was echoed by Nigel Hughes, CEO at YMCA Wirral, he added,“When winter arrives, if you are out on the streets or living on very, very low means and struggling even in heating a home, then initiatives like the Rucksack Challenge are of vital importance. The donations we receive are genuinely life saving and essential for YMCA to help those who are homeless.”
Staff and volunteers of YMCA Wirral will be on duty again this year at its Night Shelter – which has been operating since 2008 – trying to ensure that everyone has hot meals and a warm place to stay over the Christmas period.
To watch a brief video about this years appeal please click here
