A HOMELESS charity is facing its slowest year yet after a lack of volunteers and donations from the public.

Christmas Care offers food, blankets and shelter for several days over the festive period to people who are either homeless or on low income.

But this year has seen a big drop in the amount of food being offered combined with a chronic lack of people coming forward to offer help. The charity fears it will be unable to help the most needy in Swindon over Christmas.

Chairman Patsy Moloney believes the shortages could have a devastating effect and is pleading with people to donate or volunteer.

He said: “We are facing a real crisis this time and are in danger of not being able to help people who have come to rely on what we do at Christmas. We usually have so much at this time of year and are in a good place but the last two collections we have done have been really slack.”

The charity is open from Christmas Eve until December 28 and is a chance for those in need to get blankets, a shower and hot meals.

The next collection is at Queens Drive Methodist Church today from 10am to 3pm.