Help the homeless this Christmas
A Christmas tree sculpted from ice will be created in Manchester’s Great Northern Warehouse square to help the city’s homeless people.
Mancunians will be invited to bring unwrapped gifts down to the square between 1pm and 7pm and put them under the tree on December 5. At the end of the day, these will be collected and later distributed to the homeless by partner charity Penny Appeal. The Booth Centre will be accepting 100 presents for their service users and the event will be supported by Shelter.
Lindsey Tilston Jones from Shelter said:
“Shelter Manchester is delighted to be part of this project, not only the amazing spectacle that is the ice tree, but the gifts, generosity of people and organisations and how this will highlight homelessness in Manchester and beyond. This project will help us to reach more people this Christmas.”
The 11.5 foot Ice Christmas Tree will be created by Sand In Your Eye, a group of sculptors and creatives based in West Yorkshire.
Claire Wardley from Sand In Your Eye said:
“We would like people to bring unwrapped gifts. These may be toiletries, winter warmers such as hats, scarves, gloves and socks, and food such as cakes, biscuits and chocolates. People that use our centre will be invited to share Christmas with us and will each be given a present.”
Jamie Wardley from Sand In Your Eye added:
“In the UK it can be seen as normal for people to be homeless and that should not be the case. These are vulnerable people who are on the street that need support. So please come and support them by putting a gift under the tree.”
The film director Bezmond will also make a short film about the day which will be available online. The #IceXmasTreeMCR is supported by the Great Northern Warehouse, the gift wrap will be donated by Hallmark and over a tonne of ice will be donated by the Ice Co.
The Ice Christmas Tree will be built from 9am on Wednesday December. 5 Those wishing to donate are asked to make sure that presents are not wrapped, as they can be wrapped on site with volunteers.
For more information, visit the official website, or donate online here.