SWANSEA: From 20 bags at Christmas to 150 a year, the Rucksack Appeal turns ten

Ten years ago Paula Stockley packed 20 rucksacks with everyday essentials and set out to get them to people sleeping rough in Swansea at Christmas.

This November the Rucksack Appeal Swansea marks its tenth anniversary, and the numbers have grown with it: 70 rucksacks went out in last winter’s campaign and another 80 this summer, around 150 a year.

The appeal now runs separate summer and winter campaigns, recognising that what someone needs on the street changes with the seasons. Four years ago, the summer bags were carrying sun cream, deodorant, shower gel and wet wipes.

Paula does not hand the bags out herself. They go through organisations that know the people who need them: Matthew’s House, Zac’s Place, Swansea Women’s Aid, Swansea Veterans Hub and Dyfatty Junction in Swansea, and Verve in Neath.

She is clear about where the idea came from. “The idea for The Rucksack Appeal was something God put in my heart ten years ago,” she said. “I truly believe He has been with me throughout the journey, guiding and supporting the decisions I have made along the way.”

“When we started in 2016, we put together just 20 bags because we wanted to do something practical to help people who needed it. To now be approaching our tenth anniversary, with two appeals every year and around 150 rucksacks being distributed, is something I am incredibly grateful for.”

Swansea solicitors Peter Lynn and Partners have backed the appeal since its second year. Senior partner Peter Lynn said the firm had been “fortunate to see first-hand how much it has grown”.

“What has never changed is the simplicity of the idea,” he said. “People need help, and Paula makes sure useful items get directly to organisations supporting them.”

Paula said every rucksack stood for people giving their time or money to help “somebody they may never meet”. “I’m incredibly grateful to Peter Lynn and Partners and everyone else who has supported us over the years. We simply couldn’t keep doing it without them.”

The appeal’s next campaign, the winter round, is the one that marks the anniversary, ten years on from those first 20 bags.