A RECORD number of volunteers signed up at the first meeting of this year’s Christmas Care Shelter.

A total of 98 people have already volunteered to help at the shelter at Queens Drive Methodist Church, which cares for people who are homeless or lonely over the festive period.

Christmas Care chairman Patsy Moloney said it was more than they had ever seen at this stage in the year, and said the positive start at the meeting last week was thanks to the Adver.

“It is fantastic, I couldn’t believe it. It’s thanks to the paper. Usually at the first meeting we get about 60 people,” he said.

“It just goes to show Christmas Care is popular and people want to give up time at Christmas to help us out. I asked them how they knew about the meeting and a lot of them said they had seen it in the Adver.

“We still need quite a few more. We need as many as possible. You’re talking maybe 150 volunteers.”

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday at Queens Drive Methodist Church Hall in Park South from 8pm.

The shelter will run from noon on Christmas Eve until 11am on December 28 at the church. Volunteers will be asked to work shifts from 7am until 11am, 11am until 3pm, 3pm until 7pm, 7pm until 11pm, or 11pm until 7am.

They need six volunteers per shift, as well as a shift leader.

“Volunteering is a chance to meet people you wouldn’t normally get the chance to. All these people have a story to tell,” said Patsy.

“People need this shelter and we can help them. There are great people in Swindon and we need them to help us.”

Christmas Care, which is in its 24th year, needs 12 large turkeys before December 12, as well as sleeping bags, bedding, towels, toiletries, warm clothing, shoes, food, and donations of money to cover expenses. Donations can be left at The Pilgrim Centre in Regent Street from December 1 from 10am until 2pm.

The church hall will also be open for donations of food, clothing and bedding on December 8, 10am- 3pm; December 12, 7pm-9.30pm; December 14, 7pm-9.30pm; and December 15, 10am-3pm.

For more information,call Patsy on 01793 642368.