Homeless Charity Secures Future, Plans Enhanced Christmas Service

A homeless charity, which was facing potential closure, will now be able to conduct its annual Christmas meal service “in style” following a substantial donation, its director has confirmed. In September, a trustee for Lifeshare, a Manchester-based charity, had indicated that the organization “wouldn’t survive after Christmas” if it failed to acquire the necessary funding to cover its escalating costs. However, executive director Judy Vickers previously informed BBC Radio Manchester that Lifeshare received £67,000 from a fundraising event organized by The Moulding Foundation, with additional contributions continuing to arrive. Ms. Vickers stated, “We were looking like we might not even be able to do Christmas [but now] Christmas is going to happen and it’s going to happen in style.” She further elaborated, “We’ll be able to open from [07:00-19:00 GMT], have three meals, entertainment, doggy wellbeing.” Beyond its yearly Christmas initiative, Lifeshare also provides breakfasts to vulnerable individuals from a facility located on Dale Street, in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Ms. Vickers emphasized the service’s critical role in assisting those experiencing isolation. She explained, “[There are] people who come on Friday, Saturday and Sunday who might be in accommodation but they don’t see anyone all week so it’s a real community event.” Jodie Moulding mentioned that she established The Moulding Foundation in 2020 with the objective to “do good” for residents in the north west of England. She told BBC Radio Manchester that Lifeshare was chosen as the beneficiary of a recent charity luncheon because the funds would be “pretty much going immediately to where it’s needed most.” While the donation has helped prevent the charity’s closure, a spokesperson for Lifeshare noted that the organization continues to face increasing demand and expenses. The spokesperson added, “While we are so overwhelmed by The Moulding Foundation’s incredible event and many other supporters who have come out to save the charity, we must be strategic and forward thinking and use the funds raised here to stabilise and protect the long-term future of Lifeshare.”