Southport MP Damien Moore sees how Salvation Army is helping struggling families at Christmas and throughout the year

Conservative MP, Damien Moore visited Southport Salvation Army on Friday (10 December) to see for himself how the church and charity is helping the most vulnerable people in the community through the festive season and beyond.

Mr. Moore contacted the Salvation Army corps (church) on Shakespeare Street to request a meeting and church leaders Michael and Alison Hutchings were only too happy for him to come and get an overview of the important work being done to serve people in need in and around the Southport area.  

During his visit, the Southport MP chatted to volunteers about the church’s furniture project and heard how this and other schemes, such as its fuel voucher system, are providing a vital lifeline to families and individuals struggling to make ends meet.

Since the end of November, Southport Salvation Army has also been running its annual Christmas Present Appeal which has resulted in hundreds of new gifts being donated by the public to be distributed as presents to some of the poorest households in the area.

Captain Michael Hutchings, Commanding Officer of Southport Salvation Army said:

“It was really nice to meet Damien Moore and have the opportunity to show him all of the things we’re doing to support the local community. Alison and I were both pleased to see how interested he was to hear about the challenges that so many of the people we help are facing every day.” 

“Last Friday was also the cut-off date for our Christmas Present Appeal so lots of our fantastic volunteers were in busily wrapping all the gifts when he arrived.  He seemed quite impressed by all that activity too!”

Damien Moore, MP said:

“As we approach the Christmas period, I met with Michael and Alison to discuss the vital work the Salvation Army continue to do in our community for those who are most vulnerable. I was grateful to them for their time, and I will continue to liaise with them both to further address the challenges they see daily as they work with families in Southport who are struggling with a variety of problems.”

Southport Salvation Army is situated at 65 Shakespeare Street, PR8 5AJ.  In addition to the furniture project, the church also runs a varied weekly programme of activities including men’s fellowship, parent and toddler sessions, line-dancing, crafting and scrabble.   The church is also home to a coffee lounge and charity shop, both of which are open six days a week.

The Salvation Army is a church and charity dedicated to caring for people who are vulnerable or in need.  Salvation Army churches are at the heart of the local communities they serve and provide compassionate support, practical help and a warm welcome to anyone visiting them.