A huge thank you from Bangor Homeless Team

A Bangor-based homeless outreach team has been inundated with donations over Christmas and are now keen to say a big thank you to everyone who has so generously supported their recent appeal.

North Wales Housing Association (NWHA) runs two hostels in Bangor, St Mary’s and Pendinas. They rely on donations all year round, but the cold winter months are always more challenging – with an increased need for shelter, sleeping bags and warm clothing. Both hostels are always full to capacity, with staff at St Mary’s also supporting rough sleepers by providing regular meals and other essentials such as tents and blankets.

The team at NWHA are especially keen to thank the Hogan Group for their recent donation of new tents and shelters.

Barbara Fitzsimmons is one of the NWHA staff who works with service users at St Mary’s, she said: “We are really grateful for all the donations received this year. People and have responded to our appeal and have gone out of their way to bring us the things the service really needs to help homeless people in the area.

“We are grateful to Hogan’s in particular for the tents that they have provided. We rely on donations like this to help protect those who live on our streets from the cold and wet weather.”

Kevin Hogan, Director with the Bangor based construction firm, said: “Part of our ethos is to give something back to the community where we live and work – we are committed to doing this in all aspects of our work. We have had links with St Mary’s Hostel for many years and were keen to continue this relationship by donating the much needed tents again this year. I hope they go some way to helping those who are without shelter in the Bangor area this winter.”

Both Pendinas and St Mary’s are always reliant on donations and anyone wishing to help should call at St Mary’s, Love Lane, Bangor or phone 01248 36221.