Clinicians from Eastbourne Station Health Centre have donated £100 to The Salvation Army as thanks for their continued work with Eastbourne’s homeless population.

On Christmas Eve, clinicians from the health centre, which is run by social enterprise, Integrated Care 24 (IC24), visited The Salvation Army centre in Langney Road to present a cheque of £100 to Major Peter Beeldman.

Each year IC24 provides the Eastbourne Station Health Centre with some money to buy Christmas supplies for employees who are working through the festive period. But, as the COVID-19 pandemic has had such an effect on charities, the health centre decided to donate these funds to The Salvation Army instead. During the pandemic, The Salvation Army has worked tirelessly to support Eastbourne's homeless population; which included helping the health centre to run flu jab outreach clinics back in October.

Mariann Cleverley, Head of Primary Care at Eastbourne Station Health Centre for IC24 said: “After a tough year, we wanted to commend The Salvation Army for their continued work with Eastbourne's homeless and vulnerable population. We worked with The Salvation Army back in October to deliver flu vaccinations to the local homeless community. The Salvation Army and its volunteers continue to provide great support to the local community and deserve to be applauded for their great efforts.”

Lieut-Colonel Dean Pallant, Secretary for Communications for The Salvation Army said: “We’re grateful to Eastbourne Station Health Centre for donating to The Salvation Army’s continuing work in the town with homeless and other vulnerable people. Our Eastbourne Citadel corps provide food and drink, a place to wash and, in time, helps people find employment. This donation will help us to continue to provide those services. We’re proud to be working in partnership with local health providers as together we are able to offer help to those most in need.”