CHRISTMAS is often said to be the most wonderful time of the year, but for the homeless it can be one of the hardest.

The Crisis Christmas party campaign aims to change that by channelling the festive spirit into raising money for people experiencing bad fortune.

Crisis Skylight Oxford launched the campaign in Oxfordshire last Thursday and called on families, offices, schools and community groups across the county to host a Christmas party for the charity between December 8 and 14.

Homeless people who have been helped by the charity decorated the Christmas tree at the Crisis Skylight centre, in the Old Fire Station in George Street, at the launch of the second year of the campaign.

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Derek Paton, who spent last Christmas homeless, was one of those calling on people to host a Christmas charity to help people who find themselves in a similar situation this year.

He said: “I was down on my luck for a year and I had to re-train to get back to work and Crisis guided me to help me get accommodation.

“They were very helpful and they do a fantastic job.

“Being homeless is very difficult at Christmas because of the weather, especially if you have a child of 15 sleeping in a sleeping bag at -7C.”

Mr Paton, 56, worked at Jesus College for 20 years before falling on hard times in early 2013, but has now found a permanent home and a new job as a security guard with the help of Crisis.

He said: “There are a lot of homeless people who do not get seen, who live in tents in the forest for example.

“If you are able to get info about Crisis they are very good and they offer a lot of help and guidance. The campaign is about putting a message across about the underbelly of society and why people end up homeless for many different reasons.”

In 2013 Crisis Skylight Oxford worked with 857 homeless and vulnerably housed people from across Oxfordshire.

Crisis regional fundraising executive Sara Hunt said: “Being homeless at Christmas is bad, it is miserable and I think often people feel like they are on the outside looking in. The Crisis Christmas party is a really good way for people to raise money for Crisis, help homeless people and raise awareness.”

To find out more about hosting a party visit crisis.org.uk/ christmasparty

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