downsmail.co.uk
News
MAIDSTONE’S PREMIER BED CENTRE
Sleeping out to help homeless
MEMBERS of 17 Maidstone churches slept out for a night to raise awareness and funds for homeless people. Volunteers bedded down with sleeping bags and cardboard as protection against a dry but cold night to raise awareness of the churches’ Winter Shelter scheme, which offers safe,warm protection for rough sleepers during the worst of the winter months. The volunteers heard from peo-
ple who had turned their lives around with the support of the scheme and Homeless Care, which operates the Maidstone Day Cen- tre and meets the many practical needs of homeless and vulnerable
people as well as offering advice and support. The sponsored sleepout raised in
excess of £5,000 which will be di- vided between the two charities. Archdeacon of Maidstone, The
Ven Stephen Taylor, who led the event, said: “The sleepout was to help launch the recruitment of vol- unteers for this year’s Maidstone ChurchesWinter Shelter. “The shelter has a strong Chris-
tian ethos with genuine compas- sion and warm hospitality at its heart. While the churches provide the venue, it is the volunteers who provide the companionship and help guests regain a sense of dig- nity and hope.”
Where you can offer help
SEVEN churches will be participat- ing in the third year of Maidstone’s Winter Shelter for the homeless, which runs between December 14 and March 6. They will offer overnight accom- modation, meals and company at St Luke’s in St Luke’s Road, Baptist Church in Knightrider Street, Quaker Meeting House in Union Street, Maidstone Family Church in Boxley Road, United Reformed in Week Street, Salvation Army in Union Street and the Methodist Church in Tonbridge Road. This year similar accommodation
will be provided on some days by Maidstone Day Centre in Knightrider Street. The organisers at Maidstone Churches Winter Shelter are look-
ing for more volunteers to ensure that 15 needy people can be helped every night. Help is needed to set up the venues, prepare and serve meals, welcome and engage with guests, serve breakfast and clear up at the end of the night. “We also need some special vol-
unteers prepared to go the extra mile and give up some sleep to man the shelter overnight,” say the organisers. “In addition,we would be grate-
ful for any donations of money, food and warm clothing to help us help these needy people.” Food and clothing can be taken to
the Salvation Army Citadel. If you can help call 01622 961616
or online or go to
www.maid-
stoneshelter.org.uk.
Banned driver back in court AMANwho committed a string of motoring offences in Maidstone has been told he will go to prison if he fails to keep a clean record for the next year. Twenty-two-year-old Daniel Warnes admitted dangerous driv-
ing, not having insurance and failing to provide a breath specimen at Junction 8 of the M20 in May last year. In September this year, he drove a VW Polo in Beauworth Park, Maidstone, while serving a driving ban and without insurance. Warnes, of no fixed address, was sentenced at Mid Kent Magis-
trates’ Court to 90 days in prison, suspended for 12 months, and or- dered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work.
Huge selection of beds, mattresses, headboards & bedsteads
Experienced team offering expert helpful advice
Tailor made & bespoke options available
www.clarkesfurnishers.co.uk 01622 753073
Sandling Road, Maidstone, ME14 2RF Maidstone Town November 2015
11
Harrisons BED TAILOR range
HD AIRFLOW
W ®
SPRING-WITHIN-SPRING TECHNOLOGY
G
A
W
I
A
R
N
D
I
N
N
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56