We embraced the cold yet again, this Winter so that HHUGS families won’t have to.

On Sunday the 6th of March we went walking on a 6 hour guided Muslim History tour, in aid of the HHUGS families, walking 5 miles in their shoes.

It was bitterly reminding us of the hadith of the Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasallam:

"*_*Hellfire complained to its Lord and said, ‘My Lord, my parts are consuming each other.’ So He allowed it to take two breaths, one in the winter and one in the summer. They are what you feel of extreme heat (in summer) and of extreme cold (in winter)." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

The Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasallam said: " *Protect yourselves from the Fire, even by giving half a date in charity*". Usually, this hadith conjures up images in our minds of the unbearable, unimaginable heat of the hellfire. Today, I was reminded of its bitter cold.

*Please give today, as a shield from Zamhareer of Hellfire, the abode its inhabitants are torn apart by its extreme cold*, may Allah protect us from it, ameen.

Jazakumullahu Khaira for all your support💙

Why we walked in their shoes?

Here, on our doorstep, HHUGS families spend the year already struggling with living costs and precarious financial security.

Millions of UK homes face a burdensome winter energy bill hike, making the unforeseen financial insecurity that COVID-19 has brought, hit struggling families even harder this year.

When women have suddenly become single parents overnight, the impact of a husband in prison runs deep. Burdened by ongoing debts and rising fuel bills, they are forced to make the agonising choice between whether to ‘heat or eat’.

Homes that require repair and are not fuel efficient will mean single-parent households will battle home inadequate, icy and unlivable conditions during these Winter months.

Children already dealing with the ramifications of losing their father now face the challenge of Winter with clothing and outerwear that cannot keep them warm and protected against the elements.

The absence of a father and husband leaves an unimaginable trail of mental, emotional, psychological and financial burdens for everyone in the family. These struggles are only exacerbated by the difficulties of the Winter months

A Winter with your support means we can alleviate the harsh effects of the weather this season. Together, we can help remove the anxiety around Winter for those who cannot afford to protect themselves adequately against it

 

Your donations can ensure families won’t face a winter without you. By donating:

• £40 you can provide warm bedding to protect them from the night’s chill


• £80 you can clothe children to keep them warm this Winter


• £100 you can provide warm companionship - a listening ear from a HHUGS caseworker and dedicated emotional support from our volunteer keyworkers


• £250 you can feed a family for a month so they aren’t forced to choose between heating and eating.


• £300 you can heat a home this winter


• £500 you can shelter a family by paying their rent and saving them from eviction

Together we can give Warm HHUGS to those who need it most.

Be there for those desperately searching for warmth this Winter.

• Over 2.3 million Britons are affected by fuel poverty, despite the fact 50% are employed.


• Children may be forced to skip meals, have inadequate nutrition or study and sleep in uncomfortably cold conditions, affecting their performance at school and their emotional wellbeing.


• A quarter of families are forced to wear outdoor clothing, like hats, scarves and coats, inside to stay warm.


• 36% of the UK's elderly say they live mainly in one room to save money on heating.


• Over 2.8 million households enter winter with energy debt, with an average increase in debt of 22% from last year.


• Half a million families said that they are likely to take out a loan this winter to cover the costs of heating their home