A CHARITY supporting homeless people in Winchester has been blown away by the support it has received during the coronavirus pandemic.

Trinity Winchester has raised over £25,000 in donations since it launched an Emergency Coronavirus Appeal three weeks ago, including £10,000 from Simply Health, £1,500 from Rotary Winchester and support from local churches and many people in the community.

Aside from financial donations, the charity has received an overwhelming amount of in-kind support from its Trinity Heroes, including supply of hundreds of microwaveable meals from COOK Winchester, weekly hot lunches from Winchester College, weekly fresh groceries from Cobbs farm shop, donation collections from Rotary Winchester, and The University of Winchester, Brewin Dolphin Ltd and many more.

Chief executive Sue McKenna said: “We would like to personally thank everyone who has responded to our appeal for their overwhelming generosity. I would also like to applaud our Trinity team who are working tirelessly to serve those in the community who need us the most.”

Thank yous have also been given to all supporters from those who have benefited from the donations.

One of those was Ian who was found rough sleeping following a relationship breakdown during this unprecedented time.

He said: “I just don’t know what would have happened to me if I had to sleep out another night, I was so scared, I’m not used to doing this. I was helped off the streets and now have a room, some warm food, good advice, and someone to talk to, thank you.”

Working in with partnership with Winchester City Council and other Coronavirus taskforce partners, Trinity is supporting all rough sleepers who have been given access to emergency accommodation. Homeless practitioners are visiting the accommodation four times a day, providing clothing and hygiene products to all residents, offering vital human contact and counselling by phone, alongside delivering over 100+ meals to those in emergency accommodation and other housing providers.

You can make a donation to Trinity’s Emergency Coronavirus Appeal by a visiting https://trinitywinchester.charitycheckout.co.uk/cf/coronavirus-emergency-appeal or alternatively you can send a cheque to Trinity Winchester, Durngate Place, Bradbury House, Winchester, SO23 8DX.