Emmaus launches Coldest Nights campaign
A series of national adverts running this week highlights the risk of life-threatening conditions such as hypothermia facing homeless people on the streets. With temperatures dropping as low as -11.8 degrees centigrade, the already dangerous world of those sleeping rough or in unsatisfactory accommodation can be deadly.
In the freezing winter of 1954, the deaths of a homeless woman and baby led Emmaus founder Abbé Pierre to broadcast an historic radio appeal to the French public, calling upon them to help those who had no home. This appeal led to the spread of Emmaus Communities across France and the world.
“It is a scandal to think that people are still dying on the streets today”, says Emmaus Communications Manager, Sophie Hiscock. “Society may have moved on a great deal since Emmaus was founded, but there is still a very real need to provide not only temporary shelter for those who find themselves homeless, but also the opportunity to move on and make lasting changes in their lives.”
Emmaus offers a long-term solution to homelessness: a home, work and the chance to regain self respect in supportive Communities. Residents work full time on the Community business, renovating and re-selling donated furniture. Communities aim to become self-supporting through their business, with any surplus used to help others in need.
More information
Visit the campaign website at: www.coldestnights.co.uk
Published on 16th January, 2009
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