Will your church be there for a family like Sam and Paul's this Christmas?

Name: Christians Against Poverty UK
Price range: $

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could heat ten families’ homes during the cold winter by providing emergency fuel top-ups

could prevent five families from going hungry by providing emergency food shops

could give four families’ an emergency food shop, fuel top-up and school uniforms for two children

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Across the UK, families are at breaking point with their finances. This Christmas, will your church help lift the burden by providing emergency aid to a family like Paul and Sam’s?

Double your impact: give today and help twice as many families in need this Christmas*

Millions of families will struggle this Christmas

Millions of families across the UK are worried about making ends meet this Christmas. Many fear they won’t be able to give their children gifts, put enough food on the table, or manage rising energy bills.

This was Paul and Sam’s reality last Christmas.

Beyond breaking point: Paul and Sam’s story

Read video transcript

Paul: Last Christmas is the one where I never want to experience ever again. We owned a small construction company, and we were doing really well. But materials were increasing and increasing, and I couldn’t keep up with the demand of the material cost.

Sam: Paul was having to work more and more for what was generating less and less.

Vale: Mum and dad weren’t as happy last Christmas.

Eden: We couldn’t really have the heating on as much. If the door wasn’t locked the bailiffs could come in.

Paul: The debt just got worse and worse and worse.

Sam: It is all consuming and the, the weight of it.

Paul: My body broke down – I had a stroke.

[Phone rings]

Phone operator (Amy): Hi there, you’re speaking to Amy at Christians Against Poverty. Are you looking for debt help today?

Sam: I am, yes.

Amy: Ok.

Sam: We’re getting bombarded at the minute.

Amy: Yeah.

Sam: We really are. And obviously it’s Christmas in a couple of weeks. And Paul is just getting more and more poorly. We’re just desperate to get this sorted out now.

[Text on screen: 3 in 10 children in the UK live in poverty. Source: Joseph Rowntree Foundation (2024)]

Sam: Getting the emergency food voucher and the top-up vouchers from CAP relieved so much of the stress.

Paul: We just looked at each other and cried and said, ‘Yeah, this is the point where we know, there’s a future here.’

Sam: We were able to deal with our finances and be able to have food and heating at home.

Paul: CAP have, from the start to the finish, have made us feel like we’re humans and that we can get through it. Now we’re actually debt free, family life has grown strength to strength.

Sam: We just feel like a family and a couple again.

Vale: I’m really looking forward to this Christmas.

Eden: Thank you.

Vale: Thank you!

[Eden giggles]

[Text on screen: Will you help provide emergency aid to a family at breaking point today?]

3 in 10

children in the UK live in poverty – around a third of every classroom (Joseph Rowntree Foundation).

60%

of CAP clients had to borrow money to pay household bills.

Every £1

that you give will be match-funded — doubling the impact you make*

Sam and Paul became prisoners in their own home

Paul ran a joinery business with his wife, Sam. With the cost of living making materials double in price, things became critical. Stress caused Paul to have a stroke at aged 44, and their life collapsed around them under the weight of debt.

Things became critical. Paul worked tirelessly, but after suffering a stroke, their situation worsened. They knew to trust God about their situation but things were at a breaking point. With enforcement agents knocking and borrowing just to feed their children, Paul and Sam turned to their church, community, and CAP.

Their church kept their faith alive, offering food parcels, prayers and encouragement. The community provided childcare and support. CAP stepped in with practical help to manage their debts and rebuild their finances.

In January they had their first appointment with CAP and are now debt free using the bankruptcy and DRO options.

Man sat on the sofa with his two children, all three are looking into the camera

I can’t describe the relief we felt knowing that help was coming, but we still had an anxious wait ahead of us and, with it, an unbearable Christmas.

Paul

This Christmas will be different for them thanks to people like you who care about families on the edge.

Children's drawing of baby Jesus with the handwriting 'Jesus is born!'

Drawing by Eden, 10

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

Please will your church provide a lifeline for a family at breaking point this Christmas?

Many are dreading the festive season, fearing the extra costs will push them over the edge. Join the 2024 Christmas Appeal by holding a collection at your church to provide emergency aid for struggling families. You can also choose CAP as your Christmas charity and donate through the link at the top of the webpage.

If you would prefer to donate by cheque or bank transfer, please get in touch with our helpful Supporter Care team on [email protected].

In the true spirit of Christmas, your church can share the love of Jesus and help bring joy and hope to a family like Paul and Sam’s, making this Christmas a far brighter one than last year.

Will your church be there for a family like Paul and Sam’s?

Man sat on a sofa wearing a Christmas jumper, smiling at the camera

It was a dark time…but when church came, it lifted something. It made us know that there are people out here who love and care for us.

Paul

The hope of the local church

Churches are central as a refuge and hope for those struggling and weighed down by debt and poverty this Christmas.

A couple sat on the sofa hugging, both are wearing Christmas jumpers and sat next to a Christmas tree

As we experienced the church community gathering around us, Sam and I grew closer to God. Philippians 4:13 was a significant verse for me: ‘I can do all this through him who gives me strength’. I learned that you’ve got to go through the valley to get to the mountain.

Paul

Double your impact: give today and help twice as many families in need this Christmas*

*Gifts will be match-funded up to £43,000

Free Christmas resources to inspire your church

Local churches like yours are uniquely placed to bring hope and practical help to those in need across the UK. That’s why we wanted to share with you our new, free Christmas resources. We want to equip your church to explore how, collectively, you can change the lives of a family like Paul’s this Christmas.

Equip kids and youth with essential budgeting skills

Access to our brand new specialist budgeting materials for kids and youth.

Find out more

Connect, reflect, and pray together this Christmas

A Christmas reflection, discussion questions and a prayer for small groups or church settings.

Download devotional content

Listen to our new audiobook

In this series, we’ll take you through each chapter of‘A story we can’t ignore’ — a biblical exploration of God’s call to take action against poverty.

Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

Show Paul and Sam’s story video

Paul and Sam’s powerful story of how the practical support of the local Church is life-changing. Perfect for showing in a Sunday service or small group.

Download the video

Two children putting up Christmas decorations

Find out how you can give as an individual

Give today and help people like Paul and Sam who are facing Christmas under unbearable pressure.