The following poem was written by Iona, a 11 year old girl of one of our Sanctuary volunteers.  It was part of a school project that focused on the homeless:

Before I turned 12
I was living on the foreboding streets of Gravesend
Sad,
Homeless,
Wanting Shelter.

The grubby doorway of an abandon old shop is my bed
It was freezing cold,
No warmth,
No heat,
Nothing but a few bits of cardboard

I look a mess
And I feel like one too,
I have not showered for months
Though I need it.
As people eat turkey
So sweetly smelling,
Unwrapping presents and giving gifts
For it is Christmas

Then Sanctuary found me
On Christmas Eve
And took me to their home.

They gave me a wash and a good meal
I was treated like a guest.

I thought I was in dream land,
It was too good to be true.

Well done Iona – we look forward to you joining our group of volunteers in the future!