FUNDRAISERS who want to combat homelessness in Oxford can double the difference their money will make by giving to Oxford Homeless Movement this Christmas.
Oxford Homeless Movement is a partnership of many organisations working to ensure that no one has to sleep rough on the streets.
It is hoping to raise £150,000 for charities helping rough sleepers, and to deliver new services reducing homelessness.
Between Sunday, December 1 and Monday, January 6, Oxfordshire Community Foundation is pledging to match any donation to Oxford Homeless Movement through a Christmas Match Fund, which the Oxford Mail backed last year and is doing the same again this year.
OCF’s pledge to double the difference will apply to both one-off and repeat donations made during the Christmas period.
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When eligible for Gift Aid, a typical £30 donation will be worth £67.50 to beneficiaries of the Christmas Match Fund.
Jane Cranston, chairwoman of Oxford Homeless Movement, said: "We know that many people who visit, live or work in Oxford want to do what they can to help ensure nobody should have to sleep rough in our city.
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"The good news is that this Christmas they can double the difference they make by donating to Oxford Homeless Movement.
"Individuals, organisations and businesses giving to Oxford Homeless Movement from December 1 to January 6 will have their donations matched pound for pound by Oxfordshire Community Foundation. Add in Gift Aid for eligible donations and that’s actually more than twice the difference.
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"Last year the Christmas Match Fund raised nearly £90,000 for Oxford’s homeless charities, and this year we’d like to do even better. We’ve got the ambitious target of raising £150,000 for existing charities and to help develop and deliver new services.
"Whether you’re an individual, an organisation or a business everyone can do something to help. "Homelessness is not inevitable and together we can all help ensure nobody should have to sleep rough in Oxford. So please give what you can and spread the word."
OCF will hold and distribute all money raised to:
•homelessness charities that are members of Oxford Homeless Movement
•help provide services at the assessment centre and shelter opening in Floyds Row from January 2020
•an impact fund that will be used to fund the development of new initiatives filling critical gaps between services reducing rough sleeping.
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You can donate online at oxfordhomelessmovement.org.uk/donate or by sending a cheque to Oxford Homeless Movement, PO Box 941, Oxford OX1 9TQ.
Jayne Woodley, CEO of Oxfordshire Community Foundation, said: "Oxford is a generous city and we hope the knowledge we’ll match every pound donated to Oxford Homeless Movement this Christmas will inspire people to help.
"Your kind donations will reflect the care and dedication you have towards building a better and more inclusive society.
"That heartfelt commitment never ends.
"If you are able, you can also continue to support those in crisis with a regular monthly donation."
Oxford Homeless Movement was officially launched on World Homeless Day on October 10.
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The partnership’s initiatives already include a website oxfordhomelessmovement.org.uk to link those who want to offer their support with the organisations or individuals that are providing support to people experiencing rough sleeping.
It also offers guidance to those who need help and may not know where to go.
The movement also backs a citywide charter to ensure no one should have to sleep rough on the streets of Oxford, co-created by homelessness agencies, charities, voluntary organisations and the city council. Anyone can sign up to the charter on the website.
Another initiative is the launch of the Lived Experience Advisory Forum, made up of people who have experienced rough sleeping and who are either now working for or supported by local agencies.
The forum aims to take a leadership role in Oxford Homeless Movement.
OCF has been a significant local grant maker since 1995, building credibility within the charitable sector and committing to key investments in local community initiatives.
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It works to improve the lives of Oxfordshire’s most disadvantaged people by unlocking the power of community backing and tackling the county’s most pressing social problems – homelessness, educational inequality, loneliness and isolation.
Last year OCF awarded more than £1.2m in grants and in 2019 has funded more than 1,300 groups to date.
The problem of rough sleeping has grown in Oxford in recent years and the council has been spending millions of pounds in a bid to tackle it.
A new £1.8m shelter is being provided in Floyds Row off St Aldate's from January while a £3.7m shelter opened in Rymers Lane, Cowley in September.
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