Winter campaign raises £34K to ease Welsh cost of living crisis
Thanks to our generous and compassionate supporters, The Wallich can continue to help people at risk of homelessness in Wales
In October 2023, we launched our annual winter fundraising campaign
We aimed to boost our funding pot which alleviates hardship faced by people we support experiencing homeless, at risk of homelessness or in vulnerable housing across Wales.
Households across the UK are feeling the pressure caused by the ongoing cost of living crisis. However, the impact varies greatly.
Whether it’s cut down on meals out, not putting the heating or skipping meals, everyone has their own story to tell.
Total raised: £34,162.04
Our support is ever evolving to help meet the needs of everyone. Without you – our supporters – we would not be able help as many people as we do.
We are so grateful and overwhelmed with the support we have received.
Individual support
From £2 to £200, we are so thankful for every person who gave what they could.
Many of you gave online, at our bucket collections or bought items from The Wallich Shop.
Some gave a one-off donation and others committed to paying a donation every month.
Every donation, no matter the amount, helps us keep people afloat and to end homelessness in Wales.
The Wallich Winter Raffle
The Wallich’s annual Winter Raffle was an easy way for people to do their bit in supporting our winter campaign, with tickets starting from just £2.
Prizes included 2 x two-litre air fryers, £150 Love2Shop voucher and a luxury Welsh picnic wicker basket from the Welsh Hamper Company.
With help from our amazing community sellers, we raised a grand total of £2,662.
If you played, all winners have been published on our website.
Community support
Bringing the community together helps us on our path to solving homelessness.
We have received an overwhelming amount of support from community groups across Wales during our winter campaign.
We would like to thank all the communities who supported us this winter.
Here are just a few of the superstars who supported us this year:
- Cardiff Rotary Clubs donated approximately £1,500 worth of brand-new Regatta waterproof jackets for our clients to keep them warm and dry throughout the winter months.
- Year Fives at Athan Primary School raised £760 by showing their artistic side selling beautiful, handcrafted Christmas decorations at their Christmas Fayre. As well as also hosting a fun-filled Wallich Onesie Day, and a sleepover at the school.
- Dave Mathias raised £685 selling recycled homemade candles to the community.
- David’s Church invited us along to their annual Christingle service where we were the charity of choice for their collection. They raised a total of £600 from this and through their Christmas Plate appeal in December and January.
- Brilliant butchers, supermarkets and restaurants across Wales helped us supply residents’ Christmas dinners to people living in our hostels and out in the community. Asda Queensferry gifted a Christmas turkey for our Glanrafon service users.
Corporate support
Several organisations across Wales have been part of the community response to homelessness.
A huge shoutout and thanks to:
- BESA, the Building Engineering Services Association, committed to a number of fundraising events. Through their Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, they raised a whopping £2760.92.
- On top of their continued support throughout the year, Tokio Marine HCC invited us along to the open day of their new office to sell our Winter Raffle tickets, they also donated woolly hats, and Christmas Cards, and gifted us £100 on the day.
- ISG linked us up with Pinnacle Furniture, who gave us some top-class new items for our hostels.
- Spirit of 58 donated brand-new cosy hats and scarves for our clients in Carmarthenshire.
- Football Association of Wales (FAW) invited us to host a bucket collection at the Cymru Women’s Nations League Game against Germany in Swansea.
- GCSE art students, Elliott & Mrs Sian Reardon at St Cenydd Community School worked with Grounds For Good to design a bespoke piece of art printed on eco-friendly tote bags to raise money for The Wallich. Elliott’s design was chosen as the winning logo, and they sold a fantastic 50 bags at St Cenydd’s Christmas Fete.
- Swansea restaurant Rasoi treated residents of our hostels to a Christmas meal.
Chelsea Harrington, Fundraiser for The Wallich, said:
“Thank you so much to everyone who showed their support this winter. The pennies and pounds will go a long way to keep people afloat during difficult times.
The cost-of-living crisis is continuing to put pressure on families and individuals, putting many more people at risk of homelessness.
The support we have seen this winter has been inspiring and will ensure that our staff can continue to be there for anyone who needs us.
We can’t do what we do without your continued support.
Diolch yn fawr!”
Homelessness does not end with the seasons
Ways to support The Wallich throughout 2024
Our annual winter campaign has come to an end but, there are still ways you can continue supporting The Wallich.
The Wallich is there for people 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and will continue supporting people for as long as is needed.
Support The Wallich and help make homelessness a thing of the past in Wales.
- Make a regular donation
- Sign up to a challenge event and fundraise for The Wallich
- Volunteer in your community