Two Winchester charities which support homeless people are to share a £1 million donation as revealed at a special event in the city on Wednesday 21 September 2016.
The money has been given to Winchester Churches Nightshelter and Trinity Winchester, following the closure of a military charity. The money will enable both charities to expand their work with local homeless and vulnerable people at a time when demand for their services is increasing.
The military charity, DEFLOG VQ Trust, began 20 years ago and has helped thousands of soldiers gain vocational qualifications in order to find work in civilian life. But the trust has now closed and its assets are being distributed to other charities.
Sue McKenna, Operations Director at Trinity Winchester said: "We are so grateful for this life-changing donation. The trustees of DEFLOG VQ have been long-term supporters of our work, and this sum could transform the services that we provide to homeless and vulnerable people in Winchester. In times when it is becoming more difficult to secure funding, receiving this amount of money is crucial in the continuation and development of our services."
Winchester MP Steve Brine attended the event and added; "We in Winchester are so proud of the work of both these charities and I know everyone will be so pleased for them to have landed such a large donation. The event on Wednesday night was a really moving occasion and a reminder to us all why we're so lucky to have Trinity and Nightshelter in the city.
"I'd like to wish them both well for the future and hope they spend the money wisely in a targetted way. Massive thanks also to DEFLOG who I know have very personal reasons for making this gift; what an amazing act of grace."
Pictured; Peter North of Trinity (left) with Steve Brine MP and Michelle Price of the Nightshelter at the event.
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