Bury St Edmunds charity Gatehouse praises 'overwhelming' community response to Christmas appeal

A Bury St Edmunds charity has issued a heartfelt thank you to the community after donations poured in for a Christmas appeal to help those in need.

Gatehouse joined forces with SuffolkNews sister title the Bury Free Press in its calls for food, toiletry gift sets as well as underwear and pyjamas for children and adults.

Bags of items were brought into our office and readers also donated £240 in cash to the charity.

Amanda Bloomfield, chief executive of Gatehouse, said: “Thank you to the community for enabling the charity to donate food hampers and gifts to those vulnerable adults and families within Bury St Edmunds and West Suffolk.

“Each year the demand for our help is more, particularly as we recover from the pandemic.

“The support from the local community is overwhelming and really helps to make a difference.”

Amanda estimates they will help about 1,500 people over the Christmas period which is a 15 per cent increase on last year largely due to the pandemic, rising fuel bills and increases in the cost of living.

The cash donations will go towards purchasing ‘special items for Christmas to make it more magical for families’.

The charity is making winter fuel payments and anyone in need should contact Gatehouse for a referral.

People can still sign up for the Gatehouse Christmas Day lunch at St Benedict’s Catholic School in Bury St Edmunds by emailing info@gatehouse.org.uk

It is also still taking donations for Christmas until Friday, December 17, at its headquarters in Dettingen Way as well as collection points at the Co-op in Out Risbygate and Waitrose.

Amanda also expects to be in need of food donations early next year.

“We tend to get busier at the end of January as people are trying to stretch their December pay packet and obviously if the cold winter hits that will have a knock on effect on people.”