Town calendar raising money for homeless

ORPINGTONIANS have donated generously to the Loose Change For Real Change scheme in exchange for copies of The Orpington Calendar 2020, raising over £500 so far.

Launched in town last year, the scheme aims to persuade residents to donate money to tackle the problem of homelessness, rather than giving directly to street beggars. Distinctive house shaped collection boxes make it easy to donate, with all proceeds going to Bromley Homeless Shelter.

Photography Competition winner Stephen Sangster with his copy of the 2020 calendar

Available from Orpington Library, the Orpington calendar features photographs taken at town centre events as well as selected entries from the Orpington Photography Competition, which encourages residents to take a celebratory look at their surroundings. There are just a few copies left so if you haven’t got yours, pop into the library now!

A Snowy Day by Suzzane Marks features as the January image of the 2020 Orpington calendar

Bromley Homeless Shelter provides guidance to homeless people, or those at risk of homelessness, throughout the year as well as running a Night Shelter during the winter months. Homeless Link, the national membership charity for organisations working with the homeless, reports estimates of a 165% increase in rough sleeping since 2010.

The September page of the 2020 calendar showing images from Flavours of Orpington food festival

It’s often said that not everyone who begs is homeless and not all homeless people will beg. Nevertheless, people who do beg are often some of the most vulnerable in our society, and many will be struggling with health issues.

Orpington 1st BID Manager, Chris Travers, said, “There is tremendous generosity of spirit in Orpington and through the ‘Loose Change 4 Real Change’ scheme residents have the option of donating to a worthwhile organisation aiming to support homeless people rebuild their lives, rather than to individuals. We want to encourage support for those who are vulnerable and in need, whilst also working with the appropriate authorities to address the issue of those individuals begging in an increasingly aggressive and intimidating way.”

Alongside the business community’s work with Met Police, work is being undertaken by the local authority and homeless charities to provide support to those on the streets, alongside enforcement action to those who are involved in criminal activity.