YMCA Bournemouth is calling on the Dorset community to give a gift to those in need for the festive period.

The charity’s ‘Prezzies for Rezzies’ campaign begins on 7th November, where members of the public and local schools are encouraged to write Christmas cards and donate gifts to residents of YMCA Bournemouth’s supported housing services. Last year’s campaign saw 114 residents gifted with cards and presents, including toiletries, clothing, and chocolate.

This year marks YMCA Bournemouth’s 16th ‘Prezzies for Rezzies’ campaign, with collection points located across Dorset at The Junction Centre in Broadstone, Delta House on Westover Road, and Pokesdown and Southbourne Children’s centre.

Mark Inkpen, Chief Operations Officer at YMCA Bournemouth commented: “The festive period should be a time for everyone to feel loved and cared for but sadly, many of the individuals that YMCA Bournemouth support do not have any family or friends to call upon. This means that donations from our ‘Prezzies for Rezzies’ campaign are very often the only gifts they’ll receive at Christmas.

“It is part of our mission to make the festive period as enjoyable as possible for our supported housing residents by creating a package of personal gifts for each resident – everything from DVDs and art materials to winter clothing and gift vouchers. We’d love to see as many donations as possible, whether from an individual or organisation, so that we can spread the Christmas cheer even further this year.”

Last year, YMCA Bournemouth housed and supported more than 170 individuals and provided more than 53,000 meals for vulnerable adults. The charity’s services have proven a lifeline for many in the county, with the Office for National Statistics recently reporting that more than 350 households in Dorset are homeless or at risk of homelessness.*

YMCA Bournemouth encourages Dorset residents to donate new, unwrapped gifts so that the charity can put together a selection of gifts for each supported housing resident to receive on Christmas Day.

To find out more and donate, visit https://www.ymcabournemouth.org.uk/housing/prezzies-for-rezzies/