Hive you heard…? 

This year our Caritas bees are buzzing with excitement during their school’s version of the greatest story ever told – the birth of Jesus. 

However, they are keen to change the script which says there’s no room at the inn.   

Here, Patrick O’Dowd, our director, explains more about our latest campaign and asks if you can help us #BeeThere for local people facing acute crisis this Christmas…   

If you haven’t seen it yet, we’ve created a very special campaign this Advent.

This year, there’s a special animation created with the kind and generous support of Manchester’s Doodledo, which is asking us all to consider something very important: 

That, just because something is a familiar story, it doesn’t mean it’s inevitable… 

With almost one in three children in our area are living in poverty, many without a safe, secure place to call home, and thousands more adults homeless, at risk of becoming so, or going hungry each day, many in Greater Manchester and Lancashire won’t know where they’ll be laying their head this Christmas. 

The statistics we hear on the news when it comes to poverty and homelessness are repeated so often, it can be easy to assume the story is inevitable. That the problems families and individuals in our communities are facing are never going to be eradicated. 

But we know from our work with people in Greater Manchester and Lancashire, how with a little support, a kind welcome, and the right expertise and resource, a huge transformation can occur.  A transformation that can last a life-time. 

It may seem insurmountable, but, by donating to Caritas this Christmas you could help someone out of crisis – a child, a family or an adult, at a time when they desperately need love and support. It could equip someone with the tools they need – whether to make their Christmas more special, or as they start on the journey to change their lives and fulfil their dreams. 

Instead of turning away as though there is no room in the inn, we can all play our own small part in opening our hearts and helping one child or one adult in need this year, so the story can become whatever they want it to be. 

Our annual Advent appeal is incredibly important, and we’re really grateful to everyone who gets behind it and makes a donation or shares the animation and messages.  

These are truly life-changing actions. 

Many people we support never imagined they’d be facing such traumatic experiences – unexpected bereavements, accidents, illness, relationship breakdowns, no-fault evictions or the rising cost of living can all contribute and bring about unimaginable crisis situations. 

As Christmas draws nearer, we can all be distracted by the shining lights and plans for parties or gift-giving. 

But, at the same time, teams across our services are seeing increased demand as many come to us at a time of crisis.   This is difficult at any time, but is especially so at Christmas. 

So, we’re hoping that this year, we can also take a moment – just one quick moment – to change the life of a local child or adult. 

Will you please help us?  

Please make a donation if you’re able or visit our Bee There website page to find out other ways you can help.  

However big or small, your contribution could literally change someone’s life this Christmas.  

Thank you for your continued support and for helping us change this really important script.