News article
Crisis gets Christmas volunteers in record time
14 December 2011 | Topics: none
Crisis has closed its volunteer application process in record time today (Wednesday 14 December) after gaining all of the 8,000 volunteers needed to provide food, warmth, comfort and services to 3,000 homeless people at Crisis at Christmas.
The news comes on the 40th anniversary of Crisis at Christmas, which over the decades has grown from a handful of volunteers in a church in South London to an operation that spans several centres across the capital. Services on offer include healthcare, podiatry, optometry, massage, natural healing and hairdressing.
Leslie Morphy, Chief Executive of Crisis, said: "We have had a wonderful response to our call for volunteers for Crisis at Christmas this year. It is incredibly heartening to know that there are 8,000 people out there willing to give up their Christmas to help care for people less fortunate than themselves."
This year Crisis has benefited from a new volunteer sign up system, and increased visibility due to 40th anniversary events, such as the Walk to End Homelessness which has gained widespread media coverage.
Morphy continued: "The economic downturn is also beginning to bite, with more and more households struggling to make ends meet, and homelessness on the rise. It seems that this adversity is bringing out the best in people, who are coming forward to help those in need in record numbers."
none
