Volunteers have praised the response of those who stepped up to help the homeless over the festive season.

The Messenger’s Christmas Appeal prompted readers to come forward with clothes, sleeping bags, cash and toiletries, which we delivered to Gravesham Sanctuary at Gravesend Methodist Church Community Centre on Wednesday last week.

But there is more to come – just this week a couple dropped off seven bags of clothes including shirts, jackets and coats for both men and women.

Husband and wife team leaders Stephen and Lorna Nolan were there to accept the donations and said they had been blessed with fantastic support over the festive period. The staff of Sanctuary offer food and support all year round but operations step up as winter kicks in and their services become ever more vital.

This year they had so many donations they were able to dish out three Christmas presents each to those staying at the shelter on Christmas Eve, and guests enjoyed tucking into a hot dinner.

Work is also under way to install a new industrial washing machine to help keep on top of laundry, and Sanctuary is continuing to appeal to help cover the £13,000 needed to finish the work.

But the work won’t stop there as the charity runs a drop-in centre offering food and support throughout the year, along with a winter shelter in the coldest months. Anyone wanting to help out – or in need of help – can phone Sanctuary on 07496 832 228.

Sanctuary is a project of City Praise Centre, working in partnership with Gravesend Methodist Church and Churches Together in Gravesham.

Volunteers come from a range of churches and backgrounds, including non-religious backgrounds, and more are welcome.

Details on how to support Sanctuary, either by cheque, standing order or via the charity’s Just Giving page can be found at www.graveshamsanctuary.uk

We are still happy to take donations at our office at 7 High Street, Gravesend, DA11 0BQ. We are open 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday.