A letter to our supporters

Dear Hope into Action Supporter,

I’m Susie. You might recognise me from the Hope into Action Easter film where I spoke about what it was like to be homeless. I wanted to write to you to tell you what's happened since then – and to thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Since Easter, life has got better. I have a really good life now. I never thought I'd say those words, but it's true. And it's all because of Hope into Action and my church community.

I know for a fact that if not for Hope into Action, I wouldn't be alive today. I was giving up on life, and my body and my mind just didn't want to live anymore. One of my first encounters with Hope into Action was when I met Rach, my Empowerment Worker. She put the biggest smile on my face, and for the first time in ages, I just knew that life was going to get better.

The day my video from Hope into Action was played at my church, a lady came up to me. She had lost her sister who'd had a similar experience to mine. When she saw me speaking, she felt I could relate to her experience, and she had a good cry. Together we planted a rose bush in the church garden where she could visit whenever she thinks of her sister.

One of my most remarkable moments this year was when I ran a 10K race to raise funds for Hope into Action. I really wanted to give back, and I ran alongside Jessica, my friendship and support befriender from the cathedral. It was tiring but really rewarding.

While preparing for the run, I quit smoking and I have not gone back. I have been a smoker for 54 years, and I was finally able to give it up this year at 63.

Also, I was invited to speak at the ‘Great Expectations’ conference about churches held at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, along with the Archbishop of York and lots of other high-powered people.

I was nervous, but I got on stage and shared about all that God had done for me and how helpful the church has been. I was surprised at the applause I received, but I'm glad I got to say what a huge blessing Hope into Action and the church have been to me.

At church one day, I heard it mentioned about people being baptised and I felt God letting me know that it was time to be baptised.

The day of my baptism was really cold, but as soon as I got out of the water, I felt a warm feeling come over me. It was a really weird but warm feeling, and I'm glad I made the commitment.