A WOMAN who could have been made homeless without the help of a Nottingham charity has welcomed news it has raised £18,000 this Christmas.
Framework launched its appeal just seven weeks ago, reminding people that homelessness is something that can happen to people from all walks of life.
It is something that Rosaleen Clarkin, 50, from Mapperley, is only too aware of.
After her partner and then her best friend died she lost track of her finances and, after falling in arrears, she was threatened with court action.
She was told about Framework and assigned a support worker, who helped her through the court process, negotiating a repayment scheme that prevented her losing her home.
Today, more than a year later, she does not believe she would be where she is without the help of the charity.
"It makes such an enormous difference," she said.
"When you sit down and think about what Framework does – not many organisations help people in such a way.
"Nottingham stands out because of Framework – it's a pity we don't have Framework all over the country."
Ms Clarkin said she is delighted by the support the charity has received since it launched its Without Framework I Would Be Homeless campaign and is urging people to continue donating into the new year.
Last year the charity helped more than 1,400 people to avoid the immediate threat of homelessness.
Michael Leng, Framework operations director, said: "When it comes to tackling homelessness, prevention is definitely better than cure.
"The emotional and economic costs of each case of homelessness are enormous for everybody involved.
"Homelessness is something that devastates families and ruins lives – it creates myriad social and health problems that can take many years and huge sums of money to rectify.
"For as little as £40 we can represent a vulnerable person in court and stop a repossession or eviction – we can then offer that person the help and support they need to remain in their own home.
"Christmas is traditionally a time where people stop and think of others and I am delighted that so many people have thought so deeply about the issue of homelessness."
To make a donation text ROOF13 £5 to 70070