3 ways to sup-pawt Dogs Trust Merseyside this Christmas

THIS Christmas, Dogs Trust Merseyside welcomes any support that can be spared, no matter how small, and it has shared three easy ways to support the charity, that won't break the bank. 

1. Sponsor a dog - It couldn't be easier to sponsor a dog in the charity's care, or to gift a sponsorship to a friend or loved 1 this Christmas for as little as £1 a week (£4.34 per month). With around 1600 dogs in Dogs Trust's care at any 1 time, sponsoring a dog not only directly helps the chosen pooch but all the other dogs too. It's a great gift and sponsors will receive an update from their chosen dog throughout the year.

2. Send a gift for dogs at Merseyside Rehoming Centre... At a click of a button send a present from Dogs Trust's Amazon Wishlist, straight to the pups by choosing from a range of toys, treats, bedding, blankets and chews to get tails wagging.

3. Enter the Omaze Million Pound House Draw - This Christmas you can support Dogs Trust and be in with the chance of winning a dream house in the Lake District worth over £2,500,000, as well as £100,000 cash.

The draw is being backed by singer / songwriter star of The Wanted and Dogs Trust Ambassador, Nathan Sykes, who has been to the amazing house. Nathan says:- "The partnership between Dogs Trust and Omaze is fantastic... it's raising vital funds, as well as awareness, for such a wonderful charity, which will help it on its mission to help all our canine companions and their owners enjoy a happy life together. Everyone who enters the draw is contributing towards this crucial cause, and of course someone is guaranteed to win their dream home too!"

There are a variety of entry options from:- £10 for 15 entries, and the prize draw closes just before midnight, on:- Monday, 26 December 2022.

With an estimated 6 out of 10 households including a canine companion, the charity is also offering festive advice for dog owners, so that the nation's dogs can have an enjoyable and safe Christmas. To make sure your dog has the best Christmas possible, go to:- DogsTrust.Org.UK/ChristmasAdvice.

Call to use credit unions rather than doorstep lenders

LIVERPOOL City Council is urging residents not to turn to loan sharks to cover the rising cost of living and pressures on household finances, and instead look at alternatives such as Credit Unions. Figures from the England Illegal Money Lending Team; a specialist national Trading Standards unit with a remit to investigate and prosecute illegal money lenders; shows that nearly 1 in 10 people turned to loan sharks to cover the costs of Christmas last year. More than 50% of victims turned to illegal money lenders in order to pay for essentials such as utilities, food and fuel in the 1st 50% of 2022.

Deputy Mayor of Liverpool and Cabinet Member for Tackling Fairness and Poverty, Cllr Jane Corbett, said:- "We know this is a really difficult time of year for many people as they feel the pressure of the Cost of Living crisis. There is a long and proud history of credit unions in the City. They are a great way to save, bank and borrow, typically offering lower fees, higher savings rates and a more personalised approach to customer service for their members. In addition, credit unions may offer lower interest rates on loans, particularly compared to payday or doorstep lenders. They are also suitable for people who may not be eligible for services from a high street lender. Debt can quickly spiral out of control and if you're borrowing money, it's important to check that your lender is genuine. The post-Christmas period and January is going to be a very difficult for thousands of people across the City. Local credit unions understand the pressures they are under and are run by local people, and are there to help and support them. I'd like to thank all of the volunteers and staff for the work they do."

Credit Unions typically offer lower fees, higher savings rates and a more personalised approach to customer service for their members.
 
The credit unions that operate in Liverpool are:-
 
►   Central Liverpool Credit Union         
Web:- CentralCU.Co.UK
Email:- Enquiries@CLCU.co.UK
Phone:- 01517085515.                                                                                                  
 
►   Enterprise Credit Union
Web:- EnterpriseCreditUnion.Org
Email:- Contact@EnterpriseCreditUnion.Org
Phone:- 01514820177
 
►   Lodge Lane and District Credit Union
Email:- LodgeLane.CreditUnion@Phonecoop.Coop
Phone:- 01517342561
 
►   Partners Credit Union
Web:- PartnersCreditUnion.Co.UK
Email:- Enquiries@PartnersCreditUnion.Co.UK
Phone:- 01512581014
 
►   Riverside Credit Union
Web:- RiversideCreditUnion.Co.UK
Email:- Info@RiversideCreditUnion.Co.UK
Phone:- 01514480565
 
Liverpool City Council has updated its Cost of Living pages at:- Liverpool.Gov.UK/Col with the information. The pages also include details of other ways in which people can get financial support, such as through the Liverpool Citizen Support Scheme and Discretionary Housing Payments. People needing help if they are victims of a loan shark can contact the England Illegal Money Lending team at:-  StopLoanSharks.Co.UK.