---
title: Support our Advent appeal
date: 2026-10-30T10:28:00+00:00
author: Ifeoma Uzoka
canonical_url: "https://cuf.org.uk/support-us/support-our-advent-appeal"
section: Pages
---
---

 

  

            ![Piece by Piece, CUF Advent Appeal 2026](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/images/_875x492_crop_center-center_82_none/Advent_2026_Homepage_604x340px.jpg?v=1791795383)  

 

# Support our Advent appeal

 Monthly Once 

  

  

 

 

 

## Help put the pieces together this Advent

 

 

Church Urban Fund brings people, churches and communities together in so many ways, including helping people who are homeless or vulnerably housed on their journey back to a permanent home.

Mac knows how much this can mean. After a childhood marked by abuse, a violent relationship and homelessness, she found herself sleeping rough and alone. Then, when her tent and belongings were destroyed in a fire, she found Church Urban Fund, and began the journey of rebuilding her life, piece by piece.

 

 

 

      ![Mac standing against a wall](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/images/_356x356_crop_center-center_82_none/Mac-Large.jpg?v=1793101539)  

“Just because you’re homeless doesn’t make you less of a person – you should be treated with respect.”

Mac

 

 

 

 

## From surviving to rebuilding

 

 

Mac had experienced violence and homelessness and was deeply wary of other people. When she reached CUF’s Positive Pathways initiative, she found somewhere safe to reconnect with others, access housing support and be treated with kindness and respect. She said “ They helped me when I needed it most. I was sleeping rough, and they helped me into a home.”

We didn’t do everything for Mac. Instead, we gave her the support and confidence to take the next steps herself. Today, she has a safe place to live, is looking for work, is part of her church community and volunteers at the drop-in centre that once helped her.

Mac shared, ​“The Christmas when I lived in the tent, I came along to the drop-in centre. This year will be the same – except I’ll be volunteering, because they helped me out when I needed it most.”

There have still been difficult moments. When her sister died and Mac began drinking to cope with the pain, she recognised that she needed help and chose to seek treatment. As she puts it: ​“This time I’m getting help… from the doctor, from friends, and from God.”

And Mac’s impact reaches far beyond her own story. She is now an encouragement to the people who come through the doors of Positive Pathways, showing others what can be possible when someone is given the right support.

This Advent, your gift is a powerful act of love. It can help people like Mac find the support and encouragement they need to rebuild their lives, piece by piece.

 

 

 

      ![Karen and Mac in Hull Minster](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/images/_356x356_crop_center-center_82_none/Karen-and-Mac-in-Hull-Minster.jpg?v=1791804369)  

“Mac has such a positive impact on everybody. She’s such a strong lady – the perfect person to show others what their life could be.”

Karen, Positive Pathways coordinator

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Why you should trust us with your donation?

 - We offer value for money, making sure we use our resources carefully and efficiently. Accountability is one of our core values. We’re committed to being honest and transparent about how your donation is used, and you can find our accounts on the Charity Commission website.
- We’re honoured to have His Majesty King Charles III as our Patron, and Dame Sarah Mullally DBE, Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Right Reverend the Lord Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, as our Co-Presidents, reflecting their longstanding support for our work and mission.
- We’re a registered charity and limited company, regulated by the Charity Commission and the Fundraising Regulator, so we’re accountable to our supporters and the communities we serve.
- We ensure your personal details are safeguarded and will never sell your personal details or swap them for marketing purposes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

## Other ways to support us

 

 

 [  

 Fundraise for us 

 ](https://cuf.org.uk/support-us/fundraise-for-us) 

 

 

 [  

 Pray for us 

 ](https://cuf.org.uk/support-us/pray-for-us) 

 

 

 

 

 

## I have a question

 

 

Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Email us or call **0203 752 5655**, and we’ll be happy to help.

 

 

 

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