As bursaries manager, Jasmine Tucker receives around 50 applications per month. Here, she tells us the true story of Abi, whose journey to independence was only made possible by our donors.

It's easy for me to understand the difference our bursary support makes - I witness the benefits every day in my work. But I want you to see for yourself just how important this program is. That's why I'd like to share with you the true story of Abi, and how the kindness of people just like you helped her in the final stages of her journey into employment.

At twenty-four years old, Abi has just landed her first job.

It's hard to put into words just how difficult Abi's journey has been. Abandoned at the age of 12 when her mother was sent to prison for drugs trafficking, Abi missed out on the crucial early years of school.

While other girls her age were getting an education, Abi was living in a run down bed & breakfast with her stepfather and his landlady, a long-term drug addict.

By the time she found Centrepoint, Abi had lived the kind of nightmare that those of us with homes can barely imagine. Despite all this - the violence, the fear, the neglect - Abi has just made the final few steps to independence, and now works as a receptionist.

Of course, Abi would never have got to this point without the tireless work of her support workers and kind gifts from people like you. Because of the generosity of people who care about the lives of homeless young people, we were able to slowly but surely rebuild her confidence.

But this last stage of her journey was almost out of reach, not because of her terrifying childhood, but because of the simple cost of traveling to interviews. Thankfully, Abi applied to the bursaries scheme and we were able to support her. Before long, she found herself in the workplace - a million miles from the horrific loneliness of her childhood.

Without this help, Abi's journey would have ended desperately short of the finish line.

You see, after so much hard work rebuilding their lives, it might be the final practicalities that prove insurmountable for a homeless young person.