NEWS PAGE
Local Newspaper Supports Marah

Stroud News and Journal
launches its
Help the Needy Christmas Campaign
4:00pm Tuesday 18th November 2008

TIMES are hard at the moment and we know every penny counts but please spare a thought this Christmas for those who really have nothing.

This week we are launching the SNJ's Help The Needy This Christmas Campaign. Everyday those less fortunate than ourselves are hungry and cold, especially when the temperatures drop at this time of year and if it wasn't for groups such as Marah in Stroud they would be forgotten and abandoned to a miserable fate.

Christmas is always a poignant time for those on their own as families gather together to celebrate the festivities.

For those not lucky enough to have food and shelter and the support of loved ones it can be a very lonely, depressing time.

This year, as always, Marah will be providing a Christmas lunch on December 22 and another meal on December 24, for those in need but we would like your help to brighten up the lives of those in need during the festive season.

Former church minister and Randwick villager Alec Alder approached the SNJ just before he died and suggested we could all do a little to help those less well off in our community this Christmas.

After a long chat on the telephone with him where we talked about how we might be able to help, a £5 note arrived in the post the next day with a note saying: "I hereby start the project by sending the first £5 and trust we can make it the best Christmas ever for those in need."

The SNJ is launching this appeal in memory of Mr Alder.

If you would like to help please drop off a Christmas box or bag to our offices in Lansdown, Stroud containing warm hats, scarves, gloves and socks and even a nice simple bar of soap if you can manage it.

Regular members of Marah tend to be male but there are a few women too so please keep your gifts fairly unisex.

If you feel you can spare a little cash this Christmas please send it to: SNJ/Help The Needy campaign, 6 Lansdown, Stroud, GL5 1BE. Cheques should be made payable to SNJ Appeals Fund. The closing date is Friday, December 12, 2008.

We will pass all donations on to Marah and hope that we can fulfil Mr Alder's wish to make this the best Christmas ever for those in need.

About Marah: MARAH started with Marge – known to the outside world as Marjory Phelps MBE.

Retired after 42 years as a teacher, she noticed a young man hanging around miserably in Stroud town centre.

She spoke to him and found out he was destitute and homeless – so she took him home and fed him.

Marge talked to five other concerned members of John Street Baptist Church.

Their aim then, as it is now, was to help the growing numbers of Stroud's men and women who are marginalised by society and are struggling to live.

From helping a group of around 12 when they first started, Marah now helps about 180 recovering alcohol and drug addicts each week.

The charity holds a drop in centre on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays at Stroud Congregational Church Hall in Bedford Street from 1pm to 4pm. Anyone can drop in, have lunch and have a one-to-one chat with a volunteer who will help them get back on the right track.

All sorts of problems can be dealt with such as homelessness, coping with addiction, physical or mental health problems or any special needs – the volunteers aim to be non-judgemental regardless of what the problem is.

Ron Newton, one of the founding members of Marah, said: "We try and make this place a haven for anyone to come too – most problems have more than one aspect. For example if a relationship breaks down it can affect someone financially as well as emotionally."

More than 30 men and women have overcome addictions and have now achieved, long term, the normal life they thought was lost.

The work of Marah is funded solely by gifts, grants and fundraising by sponsors. The charity can never be sure of exactly how much money it will have year on year and so donations are always extremely gratefully received.