Remember those in need at Christmas

Dec 18 2007 by Keith Hellawell

OVER the Christmas period millions of people across the world will celebrate one of the most important dates in their religious calendar.

Christmas is a time for giving rather than receiving and for one moment I would like you to put aside the euphoria of the season to give a thought to those less fortunate than yourself.

It is difficult to believe there are still countries in this world where people would face persecution for declaring their beliefs but there are.

They will pray in secret.

There are countless others who live in abject poverty. These poor souls rely upon their religion to keep them going. For them there will be no lavish presents or parties. Christmas Day will be the same as every other, another day to survive.

Whilst the majority of people of whom I speak live in far off places, we should not forget the thousands of families in this country who live in unenviable circumstances.

I talk of the homeless; the abused; the lonely; those whose lives have been destroyed by drink or drugs and those who put themselves at the mercy of loan sharks to try and bring joy to their families.

This last group was brought home to Bren and me when we were shopping in town last week. One of the stores on the high street was offering to deliver new electrical goods for Christmas.

Nothing strange in this you might think but these items, which were placed at the front of the well lit shop window, were being offered without deposit and the need for any credit checks. A good deal for the poor?

No. Not so prominently placed in the same window was the rate of interest one would have to pay for them - 29.9%.

29.9% is punitive, bordering on criminal but such businesses prey on the poorest of people who cannot obtain credit through normal sources largely because of their employment or residential status.

Moreover, their goods were overpriced compared with other shops.I saw a television which could be purchased for under £500 at other shops priced at £700. Add three years interest and you end up with a total cost in the region of £1,350.

Contrast this with the many electrical stores offering interest free goods at the moment.However, even if interest of 13% had to be paid on a £500 television, the total cost would be £695 which is virtually half the price.

Desperation and a desire to bring some comfort to their lives drive some people to take on such onerous conditions of sale.

This is especially so at Christmas when they see others around them, particularly children, enjoying the pleasures money can buy.

I believe that the government should step in to stop such punitive practices by setting an upper limit on interest rates. The banking industry is in a mess at the moment because they have lent money to people who could not afford to pay it back, so such a move would have fiscal as well as moral benefits.

It is very easy to dismiss the other groups I mentioned as being the authors of their own downfall, but this is not always the case.

Many young people live rough to escape abuse by members of their own family. Others are thrown out because they are no longer wanted or get in the way of a parent’s new “partner”.

So many of these youngsters live in constant danger and are vulnerable to unspeakable acts.

This is especially so for those who fall into prostitution, driven there by an addiction to drugs fed them by evil men who pretend to “befriend” them.

We should help the police bring these ghouls to justice.

We must also begin to recognise these children as victims, not criminals, and pour shame on those who abuse them for their own pleasure.

You don’t have to be alone to be lonely.

So many people feel isolated in a relationship and others regard themselves as prisoners within their homes, held there by lack of family; age or infirmity.

If you know of someone like this, they may be a distant relative, a card; a telephone call or better still a visit will make a huge difference to their lives this Christmas.

If you feel uncomfortable doing something as direct as this please give your support to the many charitable organisations that task themselves with helping all of those I am writing about.

So many thousands of people work unselfishly for others without seeking recognition or reward.

Let’s support them this Christmas.

We can do this by giving a little money; unwanted toys; clothing or food.

Just think if every working person in this town gave £1; one blanket; one tin of food and one toy how much of a difference we could make.

I promise to give my fees for this article to a children’s charity, what are you going to do?

Come on let’s really get into the mood this Christmas and show the warmth and generosity we are famous for.