‘We didn’t stop ’til 11pm’: The ‘exhausted’ volunteers travelling 100s of miles to help the homeless

Pembrokeshire: The start of January has been freezing, with temperatures dropping well below zero. While many of us are cozy at home, volunteers from Homeless Pembrokeshire are out helping those on the streets until late at night.

Last week, they traveled over 500 miles to deliver emergency supplies to homeless individuals facing harsh weather conditions. They’ve had a hectic week and are feeling pretty worn out.

Amanda Evans, a dedicated volunteer, shared a heart-wrenching moment when they arrived to help someone in distress. “One user was actually crying when we arrived,” she said. It’s tough to see people in such dire situations, but the relief on their faces when they receive help is priceless.

Homeless Pembrokeshire has been around since 2017 and became a registered charity in 2020. They’ve expanded their reach to Carmarthenshire and are looking for more volunteers to join their efforts.

They provide emergency rough sleeping packages, which include essential items like tents, sleeping bags, and food supplies. Each kit costs over £200, funded mainly through donations from their Facebook community.

Amanda opened up about the emotional toll this work takes. She recalled a moment when someone broke down in front of her, and it hit home because she had been homeless herself at one point. It’s heartbreaking to witness such vulnerability.

Despite the exhaustion, Amanda and her team push through. “Sometimes you don’t want to go out at 7pm, but you have to think about those who have no one else to turn to,” she explained. They often make long trips to ensure help reaches those in need.

However, the charity is facing financial challenges. Amanda mentioned that they’ve been giving out several packs each week, and the worry is that they might run out of supplies when someone desperately needs help.

Keeping their vans stocked and managing finances is a constant juggling act. Amanda started this journey after witnessing a tragic incident that motivated her to make a difference. She doesn’t want to hear stories of people suffering in silence anymore.

But running the charity comes with significant costs. They need financial support to keep their operations going, especially with two counties to cover. Just last week, expenses for supplies and vehicle maintenance exceeded £1000.

Amanda emphasized the need for help, saying, “We really do need financial support at the moment.” They’re always on the move, picking up donations and checking on clients, which adds to their mileage and costs.

If you want to support their cause, you can check out their website for more information.