Winchester & Chandler's Ford MP Steve Brine joined local charities and students in town on Thursday 24th February as they raised awareness for a new homeless scheme.
The afternoon coincided with Student Volunteer Week, and University of Winchester students were among those who listened to Michele Price, manager of Winchester Churches Nightshelter, discuss ‘Spare Change for Real Change’ before going to meet local businesses and traders.
The scheme asks members of the public to help the homeless by putting spare change into donation boxes rather than giving it to beggars on the street.
All the money donated in this way will go to three charities directly; The Salvation Army, Trinity Winchester and Winchester Churches Nightshelter.
Steve said: “It was great to meet local students and see them helping out on their Student Volunteering Week. I know the three charities are working closely together to provide support for the homeless across the city, and I for one am delighted that ‘Spare Change for Real Change’ can offer the public peace of mind that their donations are going to the right places.”
You can find the boxes situated in shops, restaurants and public places across the constituency.
Pictured; Students from the University of Winchester on Student Volunteer Week, flanked by Winchester Churches Nightshelter manager Michele Price and Steve Brine
More information...
Find out more about the three charities supporting ‘Spare Change for Real Change’ at www.salvationarmy.org.uk, www.trinitywinchester.org.uk and www.wcns.org.uk.