It’s been a tough year for so many in our communities and for those facing the added hardship of surviving the winter without a home or regular meal or help with mental and wellbeing issues, it’s going to be tougher still. So this year, as a business, together with other organisations in our group, we have decided to invest or corporate Christmas present fund in support for those charities and initiatives that provide vital help to the homeless in our communities, across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire, and which may have struggled to raise funds, because of the pandemic. This year, above all others, it felt more important and appropriate for us to offer practical and immediate assistance to our communities and those in greatest need.
Our lovely Hemel Hempstead branch has chosen to support DENS, a charity that houses and empowers homeless people and which has been helping to rebuild lives for over 16 years . Their aim is to be the first port of call for people who are facing homelessness, poverty and social exclusion; to support and empower them to take the next positive step in their lives.
Fran Martin, Head of Fundraising and Communications at DENS said: “On behalf of everyone at DENS, thank you and all the staff at Neville Funeral Service for your very generous donation of £500 in lieu of Christmas gifts and cards. This is most kind of you to think of DENS, particularly during these very uncertain times when demand on our services has been higher than ever.
“Your donation will help ensure we continue to support the most vulnerable people in our community. In fact, £500 could pay for 25 three-day food parcels for a family of four, ensuring nobody goes hungry throughout this pandemic.”
Our Hemel Hempstead branch is also collecting much needed supplies for DENS and has set up a donation box for staff and local people to be able to contribute if they can.
They are looking for donations of the following items: hats, gloves, scarves, new pants and socks, tins of meat or fish or vegetables, and new sealed toiletries and will accept items up until 14th December.
The boxes will be placed in the reception areas of each branch with safety and social distancing measures in place for those that want to drop in with donations.
If you would like to donate directly to this charity, further details can be found on the website: www.dens.org.uk