Christmas cheer

January 5, 2010

CHILDREN who faced Christmas without a family home were bought a little festive cheer to brighten their holidays.

Youngsters aged from just a few months up to 14-years-old and their parents were all living in the emergency accommodation provided by Peterborough’s biggest landlord Cross Keys Homes over the Christmas period.

There is a variety of reasons why this happens, it could be due to a relationship breakdown, fleeing domestic violence or a sudden loss of employment.

Santa arrived at Hope House Hostel, in High Street, Fletton, just a few days before Christmas where he handed out presents donated by the Step One Charity.

The parents were also given food parcels donated by Cross Keys Homes.

This year there were 28 children in the hostels – a reduction of more than ten per cent from 2008 when there were 39.

Hayley Roan, acting communications and marketing manager for Cross Keys Homes, said: “Even though the number of children spending Christmas in one of our hostels has dropped from the previous year any number is too many.”

“No one wants to be homeless at Christmas. Unfortunately, this is the reality facing these children and their families.”

Chief executive, Mick Leggett, added: “There is still a severe housing shortage within Peterborough for rented and affordable homes to buy.”

“There are landlords such as Cross Keys Homes who are working to address this through building new homes for rent and shared ownership but this will not help these families today.”

“This is why we wanted to bring some festive cheer to these children at a special time of year.”

ENDS

Press contact: Hayley Roan, sales and marketing manager, Cross Keys Homes, 01733 385116