Your Local Paper readers have been thanked for their generosity by King’s Lynn Winter night Shelter.
The shelter is one of the three charities supported by our annual Winter Appeal which closes at the end of the month.
Since the appeal was launched in October, it has raised £9,000 with cheques for the night shelter, money towards emergency food parcels for King’s Lynn Foodbank and to help The Purfleet Trust with its services for the homeless and vulnerable.
Lucy McKitterick, co-ordinator of the night shelter, which moved into St John’s House at The Walks last year, said the donations were “very much appreciated” and “amazingly generous” during such difficult times.
She said the money has helped to keep the shelter open for those in need during the coldest months of the year.
She said thanks to the generosity of the community and readers, the shelter has been able to “sustain its vital service for another season”.
The night shelter opening was delayed until the first week of November because of the constantly changing coronavirus situation.
It was due to offer another winter of just overnight stays but, for the first time, opened 24-hours with six guests instead of overnight to 22 people.
The last-minute change resulted in increased costs but Miss McKitterick said staff and volunteers had been “wonderful” in adapting to the new model of working.
She said the longer opening hours with fewer guests had been better for guests who have not had to be out in the cold all day, but, it had also meant not as many people could be welcomed through the door.
In her New Year newsletter to supporters, Miss McKitterick said the night shelter continued to be a place of “welcome and sanctuary” and hope in such difficult times, “kindness and compassion for others are just as richly visible as before”.
The YLP Winter Appeal will remain open until the end of January.Â
Cheques can be dropped/posted to our office at 29 King Street, King’s Lynn, PE30 1ET or taken directly to the charities.Â
The food bank is based in the TS Vancouver building at Lynn’s South Quay and The Purfleet Trust is at Pathway House, Austin Fields.
Please make cheques payable to: King’s Lynn Winter Night Shelter, The Purfleet Trust or King’s Lynn Foodbank.
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