The Safer Swansea/Neath & Port Talbot Community Safety Partnerships are asking Osprey supporters to support their Diverted Giving ‘Have a Heart – Give Smart’ campaign.
The campaign aims to encourage members of the homeless to not donate money directly to people begging on the street but to donate via numerous outlets throughout the Ospreys region.
The Have a Heart – Give Smart campaign will ensure that the funds collected are put to legitimate ends and provide direct support to those in genuine need.
Supporters can donate to this worthy cause via the collection points throughout the ground at Saturday’s game against Stade Francais at the Liberty Stadium.
Alternatively they can donate at the numerous outlets throughout Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot town centres.
Paul Evans, Safer Swansea Community Safety Officer, says:
“This initiative that has been developed in response to the feedback received from partner agencies and our local traders. It forms part of a suite of measures to help address on-street begging and generates additional funding for local homeless charities.
“Not all homeless people beg and not all beggars are homeless. By giving directly to street beggars you only further encourage further begging and encourage chaotic lifestyles. Do you then know what your money is being spent on? The Diverted Giving scheme will ensure that every penny raised will go directly to those people most in need.”
Paul James, himself a Neath town centre trader, says: “My message to our supporters is if you want to make a real difference in helping homeless people donate smart via this scheme as it will enable funds to reach and assist those individuals most in need within the Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot areas.”
