Merry Christmas!

Mayor Dave Hodgson has wished a very merry Christmas to all, and highlighted a particular campaign promoting an excellent local charitable cause.

Writing on his Facebook page (www.facebook.com/davethemayor), Mayor Dave offers warm Christmas wishes to all, and also alerted readers to local charity King's Arms Project's Nightshelter appeal. Here's his full message:

"I want to wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas. From the Christmas Lights Switch-On to the St Paul's Church Christmas Tree Festival (https://www.facebook.com/DaveTheMayor/posts/1813364165372971) to the countless fairs and occasions right across the Borough, it has been another wonderful festive season of events locally.

One of those events was the Bedford Soup Fest, which raised money for local homelessness charities. In a compassionate community such as Bedford Borough's, at this time of year thoughts turn in particular to those in our society who are less fortunate. The wide range of homelessness services Bedford Borough Council and partners provide will expand in the New Year with, for example, the opening of our brand new Complex Needs Unit in Bedford, which I will share more details of soon.

If you want to make a donation to a local homelessness charity or are looking for opportunities to volunteer, you can find out more at bedfordhomeless.org.uk/get-involved/ . A particular campaign I would like to highlight is local charity King's Arms Project's appeal for donations to help it to purchase and improve the Bedford Nightshelter building, which it has been renting for the past 28 years. Each year The Bedford Nightshelter supports up to 250 residents, providing 6,570 bed spaces for homeless people to receive shelter, a hot meal and support to move beyond their disadvantage. You can find more information about the appeal, along with a link to the fundraising page, here: www.kingsarmsproject.org/nightshelterappeal/

I wish you and your loved ones a peaceful and very happy Christmas."