Published on 18 November 2020
A nurse is collecting food, toiletries and household goods to help people across Kent this festive season.
Elmas Deniz, a senior critical care outreach sister at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital, usually spends Christmas volunteering at homeless shelters for rough sleepers in London.
But the coronavirus pandemic means that isn’t possible this year, so she decided to find another way to help people.
She said: “A lot of families have lost their jobs through no fault of their own and the thought of their struggles with paying for housing, bills and food really got to me.
“I wanted to be able to do something about it, so I started investigating to see how I could help.”
Elmas donated some toys to social services for children in care, and has also set up an online fundraiser where people can give money she will use to buy more goods for the foodbank rather than donating items.
She said: “I shared what I was doing with colleagues and in less than a week collected four large boxes full of goodies.
“The response has been fantastic and it will make a real difference to a lot of families this Christmas.
“People have been amazingly kind and I’ve been amazed by their generosity.”
To donate to the fundraiser, visit https://gf.me/u/y8dsfz
