Tattenhall Charity Beer Festival – Follow Up Visit to Harold Tomlins Centre

You will recall that last October, the Tattenhall Charity Beer Festival raised an all time record £3900, and that each of our 3 nominated charities received cheques for £1300 (Breast Cancer NOW, Chester Aid to the Homeless and the Neuro-Muscular Centre).

This week, Terri Hull and Yvonne Keeping (members of the Beer Festival Committee), dropped in at Chester Aid to the Homeless in the Harold Tomlins Centre on Grosvenor Street, and spent about half an hour meeting the team as a follow up to last year's charity fundraising activity. We also met some local volunteers who had previously been homeless within the City, and who are now in their own accommodation, but who still come back to help.

The Harold Tomlins Centre plays a pivotal role in the running of homeless services in Chester. The Centre is a real port in the storm for individuals who find themselves in desperate need.

As we were there, lots of those individuals were dropping in for early morning coffee, tea, toast and, importantly, conversation. They were able to shower, pick up fresh clothes, see a doctor (the jewel in the crown and 2 doctors were just leaving as we arrived), have free samples of toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, tampons etc., and drop off their bags and sleeping bags until later in the day.

On Monday morning alone, 45 homeless individuals had dropped into the Centre, a time when the Centre is busy supporting everyone in trying to face the day ahead. As this member of the Webteam writes this story, and with rain lashing down, that prospect is more than grim.

The monthly rent alone on the building in Grosvenor Street is huge.

So, if you are having a declutter at all – then think about dropping off some warm clothes, warm waterproof jackets, old towels, small waterproof rucksacks etc – they will be most welcome.

Tattenhall Beer Festival Committee again thanks everyone in the Village who has supported this event – your support can make a huge difference and it is always interesting to undertake a follow up to see just how valued our fundraising is.

We have reported previously that having raised over £15,000 for charity in the last 5 years, the Beer Festival Committee is having 'time out' CLICK HERE.