Salvation Army

Today’s Christmas tree is on Oxford Street, one of London’s main shopping streets, but it’s in a church, not a shop.

This is the only church on Oxford Street, and it belongs to the Salvation Army.   I changed the focus for the next image, so you can read the Salvation Army emblem on the wall.

The Salvation Army celebrated its 150th anniversary this year.   In Regent Hall, just west of Oxford Circus, they run a church, shop and cafe.  Behind it, at 10 Princes Street, they also have a drop-in centre for people experiencing street homelessness and isolation.

Every Christmas they launch an appeal to support their charitable work.  Click here for their 2015 appeal for donations to support families in need, homeless people, and isolated older people in the UK.

For my readers in Northern Ireland, click here for information about the local appeal for Christmas gifts for children, launched jointly by two charities – the Salvation Army and the Society of St Vincent de Paul.   I’ve supported this appeal in the past, and I enjoyed buying and giving an actual toy – it was more personal than just sending money.