Hitting the notes for homeless
First time fundraisers for Turning Tides, the Quayside Ukulele Club, raised £300 when they organised a band party recently.
The 100 strong ukulele club has been playing together for over seven years and have grown in numbers forcing them to relocate to a larger venue for their monthly jamming sessions. They are now based at the Sussex Yacht club and welcome new players of all ages and abilities, from beginners to more accomplished musicians.
Derek Parr, Lead Club Member, says: ‘we had been thinking about how to raise funds for people less fortunate than ourselves. Homelessness is a terrible situation and we recognise it could happen to anyone at any time due to difficult life events. Raising £300 through simply running a raffle and donations from members is a starting point for our involvement with Turning Tides and we hope to do more this year to support this worthwhile local charity’.
The club was introduced to Turning Tides by a fellow group, the Sundown Ukulele Band, who also raised £300, before Christmas, from donations raised over six months through visiting care homes in the area.
John Holmstrom, Turning Tides Chief Executive, pictured here, adds: ‘I am always amazed by the support and generosity of our local community as it demonstrates compassion and solidarity towards everyone who is experiencing homelessness, whether they are rough sleeping or insecurely housed.
In so many ways our community help us to make a real difference in getting people back on their feet and to gain a positive purpose and return to having a place they can call home’.
Turning Tides clients rely on the generosity and kindness of the community for many things including the absolute basics of washing facilities, food and water. Without our Community Hubs in Horsham, Littlehampton and Worthing they would find themselves without.
Through a variety of specialist support services, both residential and community based, the aim for each individual is to achieve sustainable independent living.
CALL TO ACTION: Choose Turning Tides as your Charity of the Year
Homelessness is not just for Christmas – it is a community problem and our community working together all year round is the solution.
Turning Tides is seeking organisations to choose them as their
Charity of the Year. As a company, organisation, community group, choir, sports club, social club, church, school or as a family group, group of friends or as an individual - there are so many ways to get involved with Turning Tides.
At this time of year thoughts turn to how people can support longer term and each year Turning Tides has benefitted from being selected as the focus for the years fundraising activities.
So get thinking about Turning Tides being your chosen charity – you can make all the difference to people experiencing homelessness, whether they are rough sleeping or insecurely housed.
By supporting you benefit in so many ways by boosting morale through giving back, gaining new skills, improving corporate social responsibility and also contributing towards building a compassionate community.
Contact: Moira Gardner, Community Fundraiser – [email protected] TEL: 01903 680740