November 14, 2006 This news release issued by Aberdeen Cyrenians

It looks as though the day centre for homeless people on Aberdeen’s Summer Street, which is run by Aberdeen Cyrenians, will be able to stay open over the Christmas period thanks to an early start in Christmas donations.

ExxonMobil, a neighbour of the Summer Street centre, has donated £2,000 to the cause. It is hoped that this will be the first of many donations from the corporate sector which will ensure that the centre stays open right through the festive period providing warmth and comfort to many homeless people this Christmas and New Year.

At Christmas time many people look forward to sitting down to a nice meal with their family and friends but when you are homeless and on the street there is just nothing, it’s just like any other day. This funding will help ensure that homeless people have somewhere to go so that they can spend Christmas indoors with their friends. Aberdeen Cyrenians will shortly be launching their Christmas Card Appeal which appeals to the general public to send cards and donations to the centre. This funding will be used to provide a Christmas meal and a small, meaningful, gift to the clients of the Summer Street project.

Fundraising & Communications manager for Aberdeen Cyrenians, Amy Grant, said: “We are extremely grateful to ExxonMobil for kick-starting the Christmas donations this year. This is a very promising start and we are very hopeful that the centre will remain open throughout the holiday period.”

Anyone wishing to make a donation to this appeal or would like more information should contact Aberdeen Cyrenians on 01224 572877.