A Moray homeless charity is appealing for volunteers to help meet demand in the coming year.
Moray Fresh Start provide support and help to alleviate the pressures on people who have been housed from a homelessness situation.
The charity – which marked its 10th anniversary this year – do this by supplying starter packs to people which are packages consisting of essential day-to-day items such as cutlery, household linens and cleaning materials.
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This year, there has been an increase in the amount of single men using the service, going from 72 last year to 90 so far.
Moray Fresh Start chairwoman Mary Nelson said: “We have actually been very busy this year but we have been fortunate as we have been awarded money by various organisations.
“So far this year we have done 155 packages by the end of November and it is interesting to see the increased number of single men this year as single accommodation has been at a premium.
“These people have been made homeless for lots of reasons and we don’t know the reasons behind that as they are always referred to us by agencies.”
Mrs Nelson also urged local people to not only donate but to volunteer for the charity as well, as she aims to step down as chairwoman in March.
She said: “We’d like some more donations of household items but they have to be suitable, not things are that stained, torn or overworn they need to be a certain standard.
“We want to give people dignity as that is very important.
“Volunteers are also wanted, as I will be stepping down as chairwoman at the AGM in March as this is almost like a full-time job for me, and my husband can’t move around much so I need to be there for him.”
Moray Fresh Start rely on the local community for support and donations and to volunteer your time or donate money or products e-mail them at: contact@morayfreshstart.org.uk
A £150 donation funds a full pack and you can make private donations of items as long as they are unused or gently used.
