Mayor Dave Hodgson joined the SMART team on Monday (14 November) to launch their annual Cold Relief in Bedford (CRIB) campaign to raise funds for the Prebend Centre.
The SMART Prebend Centre is open throughout the year for people who have no home, have been rough sleeping or, increasingly, have fallen on tough times.
The local homeless charity has reported a spike in the number of people needing their services and they expect the number will rise as the colder months set in and costs of living continue to increase.
Put simply, they say it’s going to be a long, cold, and tough time for even more of our most vulnerable members of the community and for many people coming through their doors, the centre is a lifeline.
The centre is a warm, safe place, where the community can come for urgent and ongoing help, free hot food, showers and clean clothes. SMART employees, volunteers and partners provide advice and support on many topics including housing, health, and debt.
The annual CRIB campaign helps the charity raise the funds to keep this much-needed service available throughout the cold winter months. You can make a donation here.
It costs at least £250,000 per year to keep the centre open and heating, lighting and food costs are all on the increase.
“We stay open only through the generosity and kindness of people in and around Bedford and further afield,” said SMART CEO, Anita McCallum.
“It is crucial that we keep providing these vital services. For some people, all the other options have been exhausted and we are the only people left to turn to.
Helping with the launch, Mayor Dave Hodgson said: “I am delighted to support the CRIB appeal again this year; it has become a regular part of the Bedford giving calendar during the winter.
“The Prebend Centre has been a part of the town’s landscape for over 30 years and I am certain that the community spirit of residents will get behind this campaign and make it a huge success.”
You can help SMART to provide a place of warmth and safety this winter by donating to CRIB. The charity is inviting people in the community to donate to their appeal by donating whatever they can realistically afford at the link here.
