A GROUP that looks after homeless people will be without a home itself if it cannot find a new building.

The chairman of the Christmas Care Centre, Patsy Moloney, 72, is making a desperate plea to find somewhere it can use for four days over Christmas to provide food, warmth and temporary shelter for homeless and lonely people.

If it doesn’t it could be the end of the charity, which has been running for 28 years. It currently uses Queen’s Drive Methodist Church in Park South but because of dwindling congregation numbers it is set to close in July.

“If we can’t find a new building it will be the end,” said Patsy, who runs the centre from 11am Christmas Eve until 11am on December 29.

“It is very important to us to keep the centre open for the most important time of the year. Last year, we had 60-plus people come in for food and company and 35 people sleeping overnight.

“There are homeless people who are dying on the streets of Swindon. One man who came in passed away on the streets of Old Town last week.

“Booth House, run by the Salvation Army, is having to turn people away each night because they are full. Culvery Court is turning people away too. Hopefully there will be someone with a large building to help us because we are in effect now homeless.”

The group, which saw 166 volunteers help out last Christmas, is looking for a building with a large hall, kitchen, toilets and storage space for clothing, bedding and toiletries.

Patsy, who lives in Park North, has been involved with the group for 15 years. He added: “It does not have to be a building close to a residential area.

“We will make sure it is clean and tidy and we will be out of there by 1pm on the 29th.

“We are dealing with vulnerable people and it is important we help them. They are someone’s daughter or son.

“We give them a full breakfast and turkey with all the trimmings. We make it as festive as we can but if we close they will be back up in the car park.

“We will do our very best to find another building and we are not giving up hope.”

Anyone who can help can contact Patsy on 01793 642368.