A TAUNTON charity has launched its Christmas appeal to help those most in need during the holidays.

Taunton Association for the Homeless’s shoebox appeal hopes to provide rough sleepers with some festive cheer through donations from the public.

Rosie Hather, fundraising and communications officer for TAH, said: “As the temperature drops and Christmas approaches, life can get much tougher for our clients.

"Although Christmas is a happy time for many, it is difficult for those who have recently lost their home and are currently going through a traumatic time in their lives. It is our aim to put a smile on our clients’ faces this Christmas, but we need the help of our kind community.

“We are appealing for donations to help us create a happy Christmas. We are always very grateful for monetary donations, as it enables us to spend them on what is most needed – shelter, food and support.

“We are also running the Homeless Shoebox Appeal again this year, where shoeboxes are filled with essential items for a homeless person, as well as a little chocolatey treat.”

“These will be given out to our clients as Christmas presents.

“If you are able to donate towards the work of TAH or give a shoebox filled with goodies, we’d be very grateful and it’s sure to make someone’s Christmas a little happier this year.”

A variety of items can be donated for the shoeboxes, including hats, scarf, and gloves, toiletries including toothbrushes and toothpaste, shower gel and some Christmas sweets.

Any complete shoeboxes donated are asked to be wrapped with the lid and box separately, as the charity will need to check the contents of the box before handing them out.

The appeal is being sponsored by Summerfield Developments and Wilkie May and Tuckwood. Donation points are located in both the company’s branches in Taunton, Wellington, and West Somerset.

Chris Winter, chief executive at Summerfield Developments, said: “Summerfield Developments always aims to support local charities and the directors are very happy to support the Taunton Association for the Homeless with their shoebox appeal.

“The directors and staff at Summerfield Developments have been busy collecting and filling shoeboxes with items to help bring some Christmas cheer. The response has been heart-warming and we hope our efforts will go some way to helping people at this difficult time in their lives.”

A spokesman from Wilkie May said: “The local community has always mattered to us at Wilkie May & Tuckwood, so when we discovered TAH’s Christmas Shoe Box Appeal it seemed the perfect cause to support this festive season.

“We have already received an overwhelming early response to the appeal, it has been so heart-warming to see the reaction from our local community.

“The appeal is all about giving those without a home some hope for the future, to let them know they are not alone and that someone out there is thinking of them this Christmas time.”

Alternatively, if you wanted to donate money instead of items you can do so by visiting justgiving.com/tauntonhomeless.