Cold comforts, courtesy of the Sunderland Community Soup Kitchen!  

12/13/2024 01:00 AM

As the cold weather bites, the need for shelter, warm food and clothing is ever more urgent, and the SCSK can help to provide it, writes Andrew Smithson

So far, it's been a pretty football-heavy week for me.

On Monday night, I played five-a-side; on Tuesday evening I was at the Bristol City match, and I rounded things off on Wednesday by going to watch Sunderland Women play in the League Cup.

Results and cold weather aside, I enjoyed myself immensely. The long sleeves were out for Goals on Durham Road, and my trusty Sunderland AFC hat and scarf made appearances at both the Stadium of Light and Eppleton CW, so I was prepared as much as I could be, and made the most of things.

As I sit down and write this on Thursday morning, I'm not sure what my plans for this evening are.

I'll probably pop in and see my parents, but whether I go to the pub or simply head straight home afterwards on the way back will probably depend on the temperatures – and that'll be down purely to how I'm feeling in the moment.

However, many others in the area don't have that choice, as they're forced to be out no matter what the conditions or what provisions they have.

I'm extremely fortunate that if I don't fancy something or if the weather is iffy, I can either rearrange or just put up with it.

Being cold or wet or whatever for a few hours whilst you do something isn't the end of the world, and it can even make certain activities more enjoyable – but only as long as you know that when you're done, you can go home, change your clothes and warm up.

Imagine, though, if that's your only option, to be braving the elements with no light at the end of the tunnel, and just the hope of surviving. This is the sad reality for many people in our communities, and it's a grim existence.

Life is meant to be for living.

Folk are meant to be able to entertain themselves and not feel guilty about it, but those for whom things haven't panned out would see thawing out in front of a radiator as a luxury, not a nuisance.

If you're homeless, or in such poverty that you can't heat your property, never mind afford to go out and enjoy things, you must often forgo any idea of socialising and are instead grateful just for the necessities.

There are many that would see time to yourself as a good thing, but again, that's only when it's through choice; if you're lonely or vulnerable, the picture changes.

The basics, such as nourishment, personal care products, suitable clothing or emotional and practical support, must come from elsewhere. The Sunderland Community Soup Kitchen (SCSK) can be the source, and with Roker Report's annual fundraiser in full swing once again, you can play your part.

If you can, donate to the appeal as so many have done already, or buy one of the Christmas gifts linked above, and then you can get back to the good stuff, which for most of us will be the Swansea City game this weekend.

Ideally, three points in Wales, and the guarantee of more support for the SCSK, will help to keep us all feeling a little warmer at night.