Christmas is a time of fun and excitement for most of us.

If you’re homeless however, it’s no different to any other cold and dreary winter night spent on the streets.

If you’re looking for a way to do something special for someone in need this year, keep the Homeless Help and Support Shoe Box Appeal in mind as you do your Christmas shopping.

The charity, which provides direct support to people sleeping rough in Cork, is asking the public to consider filling a shoe box with important items to make life more bearable for a homeless person during the festive season.

Items to donate

The list of items is a simple one: warm socks, baby wipes, a tooth brush and tooth paste, hand warmers, roll-on deodorant, scarves, underwear and sanitary products are things that homeless people are most grateful for.

Dry noodles and ‘hot pot’ products are a considerate donation too.

You can leave a filled shoe box at the Homeless Help and Support Cork drop-off point outside Ulster Bank on Patrick Street from 9pm until 10.30pm on December 3rd, 10th and 13th, 2019.

A volunteer from the charity will make sure it ends up in the hands of somebody who desperately needs it.

Here is the full list of items to pick up if you want to help: