Listen
Christmas tree plan to help homeless
07/12/2007
A charity scheme to help homeless people this Christmas was supported today by Communities Minister Stewart Maxwell when he visited an Edinburgh shelter to deliver a Christmas tree.
The Minister bought the tree as part of the Bethany Christian Trust's Caring Christmas Trees campaign. The scheme, which has now been running for three years, sees proceeds from the sale of trees used to support Bethany's Care Shelter over the winter months. The Care Shelter, which operates at different city centre church premises, provides food, a safe place to sleep and advice to rough sleepers in the capital.
Mr Maxwell said the Caring Christmas Trees scheme, which operates in Edinburgh and Fife, was a great example of how people in Scotland could help homeless people and spread some Christmas spirit. Many other commendable schemes operate across the length and breadth of Scotland.
He said: "Christmas should be a time of joy and goodwill, but it can also one of the hardest times of year for homeless people, who can feel even more ostracised and isolated.
"But there's a lot we can all do to help, perhaps most importantly by giving to one of the many charities which will be offering food, shelter and advice to homeless people over the festive season."
Iain Gordon, Bethany's Chief Executive, said: "Buying your Christmas tree from Caring Christmas Trees is such a simple way to make a difference.
"Homelessness is a real and serious issue in our communities and Bethany provide solutions that work. The Care Shelter, which is funded by Caring Christmas Trees, is just the beginning of a homeless person's journey towards resettlement. Nobody wants people to be homeless; this is your opportunity to make a difference."
Now in its third year, Caring Christmas Trees works through pre-ordering, with customers selecting their preferred tree size, collection point and date for collection. To keep costs down, Caring Christmas Trees need around 400 volunteers to promote and distribute trees.
The Care Shelter provides around 750 rough sleepers with overnight accommodation, hot meals and advice every night for five months over the winter.
Bethany House hostel in Leith provides accommodation for up to six months for 26-28 homeless people.