For many Christmas is a magical time spent with friends and family swapping presents and eating fine foods, for others with the long cold winter nights it is the most difficult time of the year. 

In the UK it is estimated that there are over 3,500 rough sleepers but that doesn’t tell the whole story.  There are many homeless people who do not show up on official figures as they are able to find a temporary solution, such as staying with friends and family, it is estimated that approximately 400,000 people in the UK are classed as ‘hidden homeless’.  Poverty in the UK is a real and significant problem with over one million people reliant on food banks to get by.

This year The Purple Property Shop have joined forces with the Bolton based charity Hope 4 Homeless UK to help provide support to the most vulnerable in society. Hope 4 Homeless UK is the organisation that helps homeless people and those in need, they are dedicated to ending homelessness by delivering life-changing services and campaigning for change throughout the Bolton and Manchester area.

The charities objectives are:

·  To do more for more homeless people and those in need and help to change their lives for good.

·  To change the way society thinks and acts towards homeless people

·  To provide awareness and of the growing problem of poverty and homeless

We are organising a ‘shoe box campaign’ and are asking for donations of a shoe box filled with essential supplies that would help a homeless person.  Suggestions for items to include in your donations include:

·   Warm clothes including hats, scarves and gloves, thermal vests, socks, underwear and especially socks.

·   Non perishable foods including biscuits, nuts, chocolate and crisps

·   Bottles of water

·   Toiletries and hairbrushes

·   Baby wipes and tissues

·   Dog treats

Please deliver your shoe box donation to our shop at 482 Blackburn Road, Bolton BL1 8PE.

(open 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 2pm Sunday).

Alternatively they can be delivered  directly to the Hope 4 Homeless shop at 131 Tonge Moor Road, Bolton BL2 2HR

Please bring your shoeboxes before 22nd December 2017.

Every shoe box will be delivered to those that need them, deliveries will be made on the 18th December and any remaining will be distributed at the homeless Christmas Meal events on the 25th December.

On behalf of The Purple Property Shop, Hope 4 Homeless, and the recipients of the shoe boxes, thank you in advance for your kind donations.

For further enquiries please phone Sally (Director of Sales and Lettings) at The Purple Property Shop on 01204 59 89 79 or Jamelia at Hope 4 Homeless on 07504 727051.​