This Christmas, plenty of organisations need help to make sure everyone has a safe and warm Christmas. Here are 10 ways you can help organisations at home in Leeds this Christmas, from volunteering to donating.
1. Have lunch at the Arch Caf
Run by Age UK, every time you eat at the Arch Cafe your money goes towards helping the elderly stay safe, warm and in good company. The Christmas lunch is also a very reasonable price and three courses. Photo: Shutterstock
2. Reverse advent calendar appeal
Leeds North and West food bank is running a reverse advent calendar where you can drop a donation off a day. List of items can be found here: https://leedsnorthandwest.foodbank.org.uk/news/foodbank-reverse-advent-calendar-appeal/ Photo: Shutterstock
3. Write a letter to someone whos been falsely imprisoned
Through Amnesty, you can write a pick-me-up letter to someone who has been falsely imprisoned this Christmas: https://www.amnesty.org/en/get-involved/write-for-rights/ a small action with a big impact. Photo: Shutterstock
4. Pack an online shoebox for children in need
The Samaritans Purse shoebox appeal has now closed - but you can still pack a shoebox online full of gifts for a child in need here: https://www.samaritans-purse.org.uk/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/ Photo: Mark Mainz/Getty Images
5. Help the elderly feel less lonely at an event
Re-engage, a charity helping the elderly feel less lonely, is encouraging local people to either host or attend Christmas events to help these people feel less alone: https://www.reengage.org.uk/support-us/community-christmas/ Photo: FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP via Getty Images
6. Give the gift of a bike
Yorkshire bike libraries help families and children get access to bikes if they dont have or cant afford them - and you can donate a bike to help: https://bikelibraries.yorkshire.com/get-involved/ Photo: Shutterstock