Bracknell

Today we launch a pioneering bid to help the forgotten people of Bracknell.

It is aimed to be the largest appeal of its kind ever launched by our Bracknell community to help our community.

But if it is to be a success we need the active support and help of every reader of this paper.

As Christmas approaches, tough times are likely to get even harder for some in the Bracknell area. They are the people who have simply been passed by in the race to make our economy boom.

This week, the News and Midweek News are launching an appeal to help them - an appeal enabling every reader to do something very simple for someone less fortunate.

While Bracknell may attract big business and be home to headquarters of multi-national companies, at home many are still living on or below the breadline. Others are still struggling to find somewhere to call home.

REAP, a charity which helps people find secure accomodation in Bracknell, is currently working with more than 60 individuals and families. But it helps more each week at drop-in services.

REAP resettlement caseworker Francis Casburn said: "There are more people in Bracknell sofa surfing and staying on friends' floors, than there are sleeping rough.

"Even when they have been allocated a bedsit, bed and breakfast or supported accomodation, people often find themselves without enough money left to buy food.

"Quite a few of our clients have got newborn babies. That's quite a high-pressure time with a child, and their accomodation tends to be quite cramped.

"When a little baby comes along, it takes up quite a lot of money and people haven't always got access to grants.

"Living off benefits can be difficult at the best of times. You've got to be pretty sharp with figures and money and self-discipline. Even then you are not really living, you are surviving."

He added: "Even the smallest contribution to this appeal will show some of the most vulnerable and isolated members of our community that we have not forgotten them this Christmas."

Chris Milton from Reading based Christian charity FAITH, which has run an appeal in Reading in recent years, said: "Last year and the year before, we were contacted by quite a lot of individuals down in Bracknell who were wanting us to help them."

This year, News readers can help by buying an extra tin or packet of non-perishable food with their weekly shop, or donating a new or nearly new toy or game and delivering it to one of our collection points.

Teams of social workers are pinning their hopes on our Bracknell readers donating toys for a lengthy list of disadvantaged children who will otherwise not have any presents to open on Christmas morning.

It is a stark and cold prospect facing many families in our community this festive season.

Our readers can make a difference and are able to give these "forgotten people" the same Christmas which the rest of us are looking forward to. Food parcels and toys will then get to those who need it.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Take your toys and tins and non-perishable foods to any of the collection points below.

Bracknell News, Ocean House, The Ring, Bracknell;

Bracknell Leisure Centre, Bagshot Road, Bracknell;

Nationwide Building Society, High Street, Bracknell;

Shurgard, Molly Millar's Lane, Wokingham.

Alternatively, you can help make the appeal an even bigger success by setting up your own toys and tins collection point at your school, office, club or pub.

For more information, call the Bracknell News on 01344 456611.

ic Berkshire ~ Bracknell ~ Nov 10 2005