THE Christmas shelter will be back in action again this year in Swindon providing food, fun and friendship to vulnerable members of the community.

And the Evening Advertiser Christmas Toy Appeal is set to add to the festive fun.

Many of the people who use the shelter have children and gifts from our Toy Appeal will add a lot of cheer to their Christmas.

This year the shelter will be based at Queens Drive Methodist Church in Park South and will be receiving people from 4pm on Christmas Eve until after breakfast on Friday December 28.

Last year the shelter accomm-odated 18 sleepers and around 80 people tucked into the Christmas meals.

Volunteer coordinator, Betty Spence, 65, is at the helm once again and is appealing for other willing people to help out.

Mrs Spence, a part-time nurse for PMH, said: "Over the four days we will probably need about 100 volunteers who will work in shifts of about four hours.

"We can be flexible with the times so if anyone can give up some of their time we would be so grateful.

"I have had volunteers over the years coming up and thanking me for the chance to help out.

"They really get so much out of it. And of course the shelter couldn't be run without these kind people.

"There are an awful lot of good people in Swindon."

Betty has already received a sackful of clothes and shoes, which will be distributed among the needy during the event.

Toiletry items and cleaning equipment is also on the wanted list.

Betty explained: "Anything you would normally use in the space of 24 hours is needed four times over at the shelter.

"This includes soap, shower gel, food, toilet rolls, tea towels and washing up liquid.

"We would also be grateful for packs of cards, board games or jigsaws to enable visitors to have some entertainment while they stay."

This year the shelter will house two mobile shower units, hence the need for shampoos and gels.

Guests usually arrive on Christmas Eve and are invited to take a blanket before choosing a spot to camp down.

They will sleep and eat within the hall, while a separate area is set aside for food tables.

There will be a meeting on Wednesday from 7.30pm at Queens Drive Methodist Church for potential volunteers to attend.

Food, clothes, and games can be dropped off at the church hall on December 19 and December 21 between 7pm and 9pm, and December 22 between 9am and 5pm.

Call Betty on 485483 if you would like more information.