Davide Anica, standout groom from E4’s latest series of Married At First Sight UK and EveryYouth’s celebrity ambassador, met with young people who will be spending their first Christmas in homelessness accommodation as he helped to wrap donated gifts.
Davide joined festivities at youth housing accommodation in Norfolk on Tuesday as gifts that had been donated by the public were wrapped for young people experiencing homelessness this Christmas.
Boxes of gifts including books, board games and toiletries were donated to EveryYouth Delivery Partner The Benjamin Foundation, which supports more than 3,000 children and young people every year and hosts more than 30 accommodation projects across Norfolk and Suffolk.
The presents will be opened by young people supported by the charity at their Christmas meal on Thursday December 18. Along with mince pies, jolly tunes and gift-wrapping, Davide spoke with two young people who will be spending their first Christmas at one of The Benjamin Foundation’s supported accommodation sites.
“It’s really nice to feel a part of a community and feel we can celebrate it together,” Zac said.
He urged other young people facing homelessness: “Receive help when you can and look for help. Don’t do nothing. Look for that help and support.”
Another young person, Isaac, said: “Most people forget that Christmas is a time of giving, and get caught up on the receiving end. Find a community of sorts. Even if it’s fellow homeless people. Just people you can talk to and bond with.”
Davide, who opened up on MAFS UK earlier this year about his own experience of sleeping rough, said: “It’s very important that kids going through the system have a sense of normality. It’s such a special day for me – coming here, wrapping presents, getting the Christmas spirit on so we can bring a sense of normality back because that was taken away [from these young people].
“Christmas – a day that should be spent with family and with a roof over your head – this year about 23,000 kids are going to be spending it on the streets, it’s very sad. Young people shouldn’t have to go through that. That’s why we need more places like The Benjamin Foundation that have the facilities and the means to help.”
In November Davide became a celebrity ambassador for EveryYouth, of which The Benjamin Foundation is a member of.
Davide experienced homelessness aged 19 as a dance student in Paris, after coming out as gay to his parents. He worked on London’s West End and as cabin crew for British airlines before appearing on MAFS UK and turning to content creation. He has since reconciled with his family and urges anyone facing homelessness to not be ashamed to reach out for support.
“If you find yourself in a place where you don’t have anywhere to go, reach out to EveryYouth. There’s no shame in seeking help, it just shows that you’re strong and you’re struggling a little bit,” Davide said.
“Christmas is not always about the presents. Christmas is about giving back, so others feel seen and feel appreciated. If you want to help this Christmas season, make sure you visit the EveryYouth website, make sure you buy something from their virtual Christmas store and help out.”
Joshua Antcliff, Fundraising Coordinator at The Benjamin Foundation, says: “The Christmas Gift Appeal is an incredibly important campaign for us and really showcases the work of our support staff who know and search for each young person’s perfect gift.”
The Benjamin Foundation provides housing options for young people aged 16 to 30. Since 1997, Winston Court has delivered support in the local community for young people at risk of homelessness, housing more than 150 young people in Norfolk in the last 10 years.
Buy a gift from EveryYouth’s Christmas store and help a young person experiencing homelessness this winter.
