Homeless charities have no beds left for Christmas

Homeless charities in Surrey say they are turning people away for Christmas because they are already full

Charities working with the homeless in Surrey say they are having to turn people away because of increased demand.

The Renewed Hope Project in Redhill said all 10 of its spaces have already been filled for Christmas.

The York Road Project in Woking said it has also had to turn away 10 people, who will be on the streets over the festive period, with its 10 beds also full.

"It's really difficult to just hand someone a sleeping bag and tell them that you haven't got a bed for them for the night," said operations manager Kristina James-Talbot.

"We can try and make a difficult situation as easy as we possibly can" she told BBC Radio Surrey, "going out and checking on them in the morning, and they'll be offered a Christmas lunch."

She said it was "difficult at any time of the year" but was especially hard "at Christmas time with all the festive cheer going on".

The York Road Project is trying to raise £5,000 for its daily drop-in centre

Jason Evans has been offered a bed after sleeping under a bridge in Woking.

"I've got a special little spot that's secluded" he said, "I know it's safe, I know it's dry.

"You can be on the streets and people will urinate on you, they'll swear at you, they'll kick you, they look down on you.

"I know I have to start all over again, and I'd like to say I'm in the right place."

Increased costs have put pressure on fundraising by charities that help the homeless

If the York Road Project can raise £5,000, an anonymous local donor will match fund that amount.

Fundraising manager Robert Eyers said: "Next year it's going to cost us a lot more than it ever has to run our services, due to the increased cost of living and reduced funding from statutory services.

"£10,000 will go a long way towards us keeping us open."

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