Leicester launches contactless initative to help homeless

The Give Leicester scheme allows people to make small contactless donations that will go directly to a local homelessness charity in the city.

Business Improvement District (BID) for Leicester and the Leicester City Council have worked together to launch the Give scheme by providing contactless donation points to various shops, cafes and public buildings across the city.

People will be able to make a £3 donation by tapping their card at any of the terminals and then any donations collected will go towards the One Roof Winter Night Shelter.

This shelter provides emergency accommodation and food during the coldest months of the year.

BID and the City Council have committed to pay all transaction costs to ensure that 100% of the money donated goes directly to the charity.

The Give Leicester scheme is part of the Leicester Homelessness Charter which was launched last year to encourage people and organisations to work together to tackle homelessness in the city.

Simon Jenner, director of BID Leicester said: ‘It is fantastic to be able to launch Give Leicester, a project that will use technology and innovation to help improve the lives of some of the city’s most vulnerable people.’

‘We know that members of the public want to help rough sleepers whenever they can, and this initiative empowers them to be able to make a difference whilst being safe in the knowledge that 100% of their money will go to the Winter Night Shelter.’

City Mayor, Peter Soulsby said: ‘Like other cities across the UK, Leicester is facing a growing homelessness crisis.’

‘The city council spends more than £5m a year on preventing homelessness, but there is much more that needs to be done.’

‘Leicester people are tremendously generous and we know that they want to help.’

‘The Give Leicester scheme will make it very easy for them to give money directly to local charities who are working with rough sleepers to get them the support they need.’

Photo Credit – Pixabay