Helping Hearts Fylde are a Charity ran by volunteers who have taken it upon themselves to feed the people of Blackpool and Fylde – where they are.
UPDATE – Since publishing this article – Helping Hearts have been permitted by Blackpool Council to operate their outreach service from Banks Street Car Park next to Blackpool North Train Station.
Registered with the England and Wales Charity Commissioner: 1199780
And as temperatures tonight reach down into the single figures – in fact as cold as a fridge on eco mode – We’re reminded that there are still people sleeping on the streets in this weather.
Only this weekend did the MEN tragically report that a body of a rough sleeper was discovered Behind scrap cars at a Car Wash off Hyde Road in West Gorton, Manchester.
Helping Hearts in Blackpool
For the past 2 years Helping Hearts has been operating a weekly outreach service on a Thursday evening and has consistently been there for anyone who has needed feeding – or even a change of clothing. The Volunteers also act as a signposting service pointing their service user toward other organisation that can help them get out of the situation they are in – if they want to.
Street Food
Each week the volunteers carry round food pack to distribute to the service users and they also carry enough hot home made food in flasks to feed all that they meet. Often they have hot food donated by their sponsors who are comprised of locals and businesses from The Fylde Coast. Regular folk who want to do right by people.
The Volunteers
We tagged along on outreach with the volunteers 2 weeks ago (video at end of article) – We found all those helping to be respectful, professional and compassionate to those who they encountered – The volunteers come from all walks of life and have no agenda other than to help people who aren’t so fortunate.
Other organisations and Businesses
Helping hearts receives some food donations from the Blackpool food bank which they distribute to people on the streets. The also often collect near date products from Greggs and recently Coral Island have agreed to support the volunteers and their outreach work by providing food and clothing to the team for distribution.
Other notable businesses who have helped include – Bite Club, The Glendower Hotel, Powells Pastries and Gemma Indian Restaurant
How You can help
The team are always looking for donations of food or clothing to help with their outreach but at present they are appealing for help filling shoeboxes with essentials for distribution around christmas. Anything you can donate to them would be greatly appreciated but – as they are so well organised – there are of course lists.
Shoe Boxes
Below you will find lists of items intended to fill a shoe box. They are asking for female – Male and Kids boxes. Donations can be arranged by contacting the Helping Hearts via their Facebook Page.
On their Facebook Page – The helping Hearts wrote –
Watch the team in action
We followed along for an evening of outreach with the helping hearts 2 weeks ago – you can watch the full report on our YouTube channel (please remember to subscribe)
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