Aberdeenshire couple donate over 400 items of food to Aberdeen Cyrenians

An Aberdeenshire couple have made their annual donation to Aberdeen Cyrenians to help those in the city area affected by homelessness this Christmas.

Geoff Cutler, and his wife Sue, directors of Quality, Health and Safety, and Environmental consultancy Q Tech Solutions Ltd collected over 400 items from their local ASDA supermarket in Portlethen.

Store staff were more than happy assist by picking and scanning the large list of items that totaled 411 and cost £252.08.

Grateful staff at the charity’s Summer Street accepted the donation yesterday containing Tea, Coffee, Hot Chocolate, Porridge, a selection of tinned Soups, Baked Beans and Pot Noodles.

Speaking today Geoff said: “I’ve seen how the Cyrenians offer practical help to those who are on the streets, particularly during the winter. The charity can be the difference between life and death to many homeless men and women who rely on their help.

“We’ve donated regularly since we retired from the annual sleep outs. We’ve previously donated warm clothing and sleeping bags, however this year we heard there was a shortage of food.”

The charity now in it’s 50th year began as a soup kitchen based at Castlegate and was ran by students from Aberdeen University.

Over the next four decades the first ever wet hostel in Britain was opened, the first Women’s hostel in Aberdeen, day centres, emergency accommodation for young people, medium-term accommodation for young and old, community & housing support services and an employment and education service.

An estimated 50,000 homeless people or people at risk of homelessness have been supported by Aberdeen Cyrenians over the past 50 years.

Each year the Cyrenians’ Street Alternatives project serves over 5,500 hot meals – if you would like to make a donation to the ‘Christmas and Beyond’ appeal visit https://secure.thebiggive.org.uk/project/aberdeencyrenians