A homeless shelter in Nottingham city centre has been left without heating and warm water after its boiler was 'condemned' - and it needs to spend £23,000 to install a new one.
Homelessness charity Emmanuel House has a day centre in Goose Gate which provides rough sleepers with a warm place to stay, the opportunity of a shower and support for any complex needs they may have.
However, on March 26 the shelter's boiler broke, leaving service users without heating and warm water just as temperatures began to drop.
On April 3, the charity launched an appeal in a bid to raise the funds to fit a new boiler which has to heat three floors and provide water to a professional kitchen which serves food to those in need.
Chief executive of Emmanuel House, Denis Tully, said the implications of the condemned boiler are "catastrophic".
He added: "For people who have been sleeping rough, many do not understand the impact and underestimate the effect having a warm shower has on them.
"People have told us that accessing a warm shower is a very rejuvenating experience which can help them restore their sense of humanity."
The charity launched a fundraiser on Virgin Money giving and has so far raised £6,838.25 with gift aid, but this only represents just under a quarter of what is needed.
The day centre has a footfall of around 60 to 90 people every single day and the kitchen serves around 13,000 meals each year.
Mr Tully added: "It is an industrial boiler which has to heat three separate floors, it is pushed in what it has to do, and the cheapest quote we have received is £23,000.
"We cannot heat the hostel and the service users cannot have a shower. It's very serious especially as the temperatures drop."
Mr Tully added the charity has received a Trust fund donation of around £10,000, but still needs to secure more money in order to fix the boiler.
The fundraiser reads: "The broken boiler means that we do not have any heating or hot water. In a place where people are welcomed to keep warm, have a meal and a shower, the implications of this are catastrophic.
"For our service users, a shower can be transformational. A chance to feel clean and fresh. The boiler is also crucial for the operation of our kitchen.
"Without an operating boiler, this is incredibly hard for our chef and kitchen volunteers. And without heating, we are no longer able to provide a warm place for people to rest.
"For most, a broken boiler is costly and inconvenient. For Emmanuel House it means we are not able to offer the services our visitors greatly need.
"Please help us raise £23,000 so Emmanuel House can continue providing the range of great services for Nottingham's homeless, vulnerable and isolated adults."
You can donate to the cause here.
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