Michelle Ward was joined in the studio by Peter Everett, Chief Executive Officer of Lighthouse Furniture Project. Peter talked about a new initiative for this Christmas running between Monday 4th – Saturday 30th November 2019.

If your child has unwanted toys, something they no longer play with or they have outgrown, like toys for infants, then think about donating to Lighthouse Furniture Project. You can drop off your unwanted toys at Brentwood and Ingatestone Libraries. The toys will be redistributed to Basildon Women’s Aid (Refuge), Alternative Trust East London and other good causes.

INTERVIEW 

The Friday before Christmas at 3.53pm and the phone rings. ‘My support worker said to call you as you may be able to help’. The client and her 2 young children were offered a flat by the council, but they had to move in today or the council would give it to someone else. ‘I’m in a hostel, just spent what little money I had on presents for the 2 kids as I thought we would be in the hostel over Christmas’. Everyone volunteered to stay as late as necessary to sort this out. A van was loaded with everything they needed, including beds, cooker, linen, sofa, etc. etc. We set off for a 45 minute drive (25 mins outside the Friday rush hour) but got there in 26 minutes. Someone was looking after us that day. Unfortunately for us it was a 4th floor flat with no lift, but we moved her in. The mum could not have been more grateful and the final quote from her daughter, ‘Curtains, I’ve never had curtains’. Three grown men cried at that moment!

http://www.lighthousefurniture.org/