A student has started a crowdfunder to raise money for the only homeless charity open on Sundays in Sheffield.
The ‘Keep Sundays Warm’ initiative was launched on behalf of The Sunday Centre, which is a charity offering weekend refuge to those struggling with homelessness.
Campaign lead and charity volunteer, Elena Baeza Ruso, 20, of Crookes, said: “I didn’t just start this campaign to raise money.
“I want people to start seeing that homeless people aren’t invisible – they’re human too.”
After moving to the UK from Spain to study, Ms Baeza Ruso started to worry about the homeless people on the streets over winter as she struggled to adapt to the weather.
She said: “When I walk outside, I’m freezing even with a coat on.
“So just thinking about all those people with nowhere to go is really horrible.”
Ms Baeza Ruso first approached The Sunday Centre as part of a university project, but after meeting those running the charity, she soon started volunteering with them in her free time.
She said: “I approached a lot of charities and got turned away for being a student.
“But volunteering at The Sunday Centre isn’t just something I have to do for university – I choose to do it because I love being here.”
Despite there being lots of charities offering shelter across the city, The Sunday Centre is the only homeless project open to those struggling on a weekend by offering food, clothes and company.
Volunteer and trustee of The Sunday Centre, Steve Clark, 66, of Rotherham, said: “Sundays can be brilliant days that you can spend having a meal in a warm home with family and friends.
“But if you have none of those things then Sunday can be a dangerous day where people go hungry or turn to substance abuse.”
Having volunteered for over 25 years with the centre, Mr Clark believes under-resourcing and lack of volunteers could be partially to blame for places being closed to homeless people over the weekend.
He said: “It’s great when people can volunteer but not everyone has that free time.
“That’s partly what makes Elena’s initiative so wonderful – she’s speaking on behalf of people who don’t otherwise have a voice and makes others give a bit more thought to those on the streets.”
Ms Baeza Ruso and those involved in her campaign were hoping to raise £600 in donations, which can fund the charity opening for one Sunday and goes towards food costs.
But the group has already exceeded its target, which has been increased to £700, and has organised clothing drop-offs in the city centre to make sure people don’t go cold.
Ms Baeza Ruso said: “£600 isn’t enough to end homelessness and that’s not what I’m trying to do.
“But everyone deserves to eat and feel like they belong.”
To donate visit The Sunday Centre website and the Keep Sundays Warm GoFundMe here
