Well versed in the needs of homeless (From Gazette Series)

Well versed in the needs of homeless

SIR - Once again, the charity Caring at Christmas is preparing to welcome the homeless into their shelter in Bristol.

At the shelter, which will be staffed by volunteers, homeless people will be offered food, companionship, warmth and entertainment over the Christmas period (and hopefully a Christmas dinner and present).

Christmas time is especially difficult for homeless people, as it emphasises their isolation from the community. Please could you ask your readers to provide help, in the form of being a volunteer, or donating food, bedding, toiletries, towels, good quality winter clothes, footwear or new underclothes.

The shelter is located in Little Bishop Street, St Pauls, and can be contacted on 0117 924 4444.

I will be only to willing, to help get any donations down to the shelter, or to provide people with extra information. I can be contacted on 01454 311858. Thank you

Bob O'Neill, Melrose Avenue, Yate.

PS I composed the following short poem some time ago, which gives an insight to being homeless.

A Grand Day for the Walking

It's a grand day for the walking, It's a grand day for the talking, Out on the road with nowhere to go, And nothing behind or to come.

He wanders the streets alone, With nothing to call his own, Other people's clothes, sleeping in doors, He wanders the streets alone.

No company of men he keeps, Alone to his bed he creeps, No comfort, no love, just the stars above, No company of men he keeps.

The people he meets look away, Embarrassed with nothing to say, They wish him no ill, but they would rather still, He had not passed their way.

He started out life just like you, With brothers and sisters too, With hopes and with joy, like every other boy, He started out life just like you.

But somewhere along the way, His path from ours did stray, Rejection - Despair - was it always there - Waiting, along the way?

It's a grand day for the walking, It's a grand day for the talking, Out on the road with nowhere to go, And nothing behind or to come.