A HOMELESS shelter is hoping for as many votes as possible to help break the cycle of homelessness and get residents back on their feet.

Winchester Beacon is among 10 charities in the region that have been shortlisted for Reader's Choice Cash for Charity, a giveaway from the Hampshire Chronicle’s parent company’s charitable arm, The Gannett Foundation.

The charity, formerly known as Winchester Churches Nightshelter, relies on donations and funding to provide a sanctuary for homeless people before supporting them in finding a job and new residence.

The homeless shelter is guaranteed a share of £16,000 along with the other nine charities. The shortlist was based on thousands of votes from readers.

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Winchester Beacon admin assistant, Nicky Roberts, said: “We’re delighted that we’ve been considered for the scheme. A million things go through my mind when I think about how much funding means to us.

“Donations are a lifesaver. They mean we have an opportunity to provide a resident with something they might need such as a driving license to help them get a job and this is our total motivation.

“We’re not a drop-in shelter, this a heart, a family and a home. We’d like as much help as possible, the sky is the limit.”

The Winchester Beacon has 13 permanent staff members. Meanwhile, hundreds of volunteers help with cooking, cleaning, overnight stays and professional support.

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Volunteers help to save the Beacon approximately £108,990 per year from around 10,899 donated hours. Any money the charity saves or receives is put back into the service for residents.

The shelter prioritises a warm bed and nutritious food for its residents. In addition to a place to call home, the charity provides a support programme to help people find more permanent accommodation, work through any problems which may have led to their homelessness and prepare them for independent living when they are ready to move on.

For more go to wcns.org.uk/.

The amount each charity will receive comes down to how many tokens it collects. Voting tokens, found in the Hampshire Chronicle and Romsey Advertiser, must be sent to Hampshire Chronicle Readers’ Choice Cash For Charity Vote, Fleet House, Hampshire Road, Weymouth DT4 9XD by Sunday, November 20.