A morris dancing side moved by the numbers of homeless people has pledged to dance their way to raising funds to help them.
Hurst Morris People (HuMP) is supporting The Ark Project charity which has a double decker bus providing beds for homeless people.
Now the charity needs funds to convert a former prison van into a mobile shower and toilet unit. At the moment The Ark relies on helpful local gyms for showers.
The A1 Group in Highland Avenue, Wokingham is doing the conversion work.
The Ark founder and chief executive Michael Longsmith said: “The unit will mean we can bring a shower and clean clothes where ever they are needed. This will include Wokingham where we help homeless people now.
“When we first meet service users a lot are on the brink of suicide. Having a shower makes them feel human again, life is worth living. Some haven’t showered for three weeks.”
Hurst Morris will fundraise at their barn dance on Saturday, February 24 at 7.30pm and at their maypole and morris dancing day on Sunday, April 29 at noon. Barn dance tickets are available and the maypole event is free. Both are at Hurst Village Hall, Hurst RG10 0DR.
Hurst Morris dancer, Phillipa Henderson, a counsellor and sign language interpreter, said: “I suggested The Ark as our 2018 charity because they are in desperate need of funding. In winter of course their work is even more vital.”
The morris dancers’ squire (leader) Karen Ricketts said: “We hope lots of people will help us support The Ark’s good work.”
The Ark bus is currently at Rivermead Leisure Complex, Reading, but the charity serves all Berkshire. The bus’s temporary residents include people from Wokingham borough.
Mr Longsmith said there were one or two rough sleepers in Wokingham, but that borough’s residents tended to end up sleeping rough in Reading.
The Ark trustee and secretary Siana Longsmith said: “There is a lot of rough sleeping, lots of people wanting help. We have very high demand. There are 11 beds on the bus but have had to make up more downstairs.
“Several people go out to work from the bus. We’re helping them get permanent homes, talking to their local councils.”
She said a lot of people had been living in tents, in car parks or on benches. And she added: “It’s so sad. Hopefully we will start to make a difference.
“It’s a great atmosphere on the bus, like a family. Members of the public bring meals every night.”
The bus has a no alcohol and no drugs policy. Help is offered for depression, domestic abuse, debt, bullying, substance addiction and housing.
The charity recommends that the public does not give beggars money as it can fuel drug addiction.
Reading Borough Council said the last annual rough sleeper count found 22 rough sleepers in the town.
For more on HuMP visit www.hump.org.uk; The Ark details are at www.communityactionarkproject.org, or call 0800 772 0318.
To make a donation, log on to www.thegoodexchange.com/project/11931/community-action-ark-project/the-ark-project-2018 to make a donation – this link expires at the end of January.
