'No-one should be without food and shelter in our town over the Christmas period.'

Eastern Daily Press: The Surviving Winter campaign is run by the Norfolk Community Foundation and backed by the EDP and Norwich Evening NewsThe Surviving Winter campaign is run by the Norfolk Community Foundation and backed by the EDP and Norwich Evening News (Image: Norfolk Community Foundation)

That's the driving mission behind the Thetford Night Shelter which aims to offer a hot meal and a bed to those who find themselves homeless during the festive season.

'There are so many people who have so much to offer,' added Andrea Jarrold, one of the project's organisers, 'it is really about being generous to those who are poor and needy.'

The project at the Salvation Army Hall will see evening meals available every night from Monday, December 17 until Wednesday, January 2 between 6pm and 9pm, and overnight shelter and breakfast every day between 10pm and 10am from Sunday, December 23 until Thursday, January 3.

Organised by three volunteers, Miss Jarrold, Nadine Forde, and Diane Dickson, helping people is at the heart of the project.

Eastern Daily Press: Diane Dickson, Andrea Jarrold, and Nadine Forde are setting up the Thetford Night Shelter. Picture: Andrea JarroldDiane Dickson, Andrea Jarrold, and Nadine Forde are setting up the Thetford Night Shelter. Picture: Andrea Jarrold (Image: Archant)

Miss Jarrold said: 'It is just looking after those people because we do have a big issue with addiction, there is a lot of alcoholism and drugs and it has claimed lives.

'If people are getting cold or having to do stuff that they don't want to do we just want to help look after them.'

She added: 'The three of us and many others in the town have a real community heart, we love Thetford and we see that there are issues and we want to help.

'For all three of us there is a Christian aspect because Jesus said go and feed the poor and that is how he lived his life and that is how we want to live ours. We are all only a couple of pay packets away from poverty.'

With more than 30 volunteers offering their time to the project and more than 50 attending the first public meeting, the shelter has started off well but Miss Jarrold said they are always in need of more help and support.

She said: 'There are about 232 support positions that need filling. That's not one person per role, but we need more volunteers and we need more things such as bedding, quilts, and pillow cases.

'If anyone wants to donate or ask about what is needed, please contact us.'

If you would like to help or donate items to the shelter, call 07561187388 or email nightshelterthetford@gmail.com.

Surviving Winter

Help elderly and vulnerable people stay warm, fed and sheltered this winter by donating to the Surviving Winter campaign.

Run by the Norfolk Community Foundation and backed by the EDP and Norwich Evening News, the campaign is aiming to raise £150,000 to tackle fuel poverty and isolation for those who struggle the most between now and the spring.

The campaign is urging older people who do not need their winter fuel allowance to donate it to those who desperately do, as many are faced with choosing between paying the bills and putting food on the table.

Funds raised in the appeal will be distributed to a range of good causes across Norfolk, including the foundation trust's key partners Age UK Norfolk, Norwich Foodbank and St Martins Housing Trust.

To donate, visit the Surviving Winter appeal donation page at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/survivingwinter18-19 or call Norfolk Community Foundation on 01603 623958.

You can donate by cheque made payable to Norfolk Community Foundation and send it to Norfolk Community Foundation, St James Mill, Whitefriars, Norwich NR3 1TN.