RESIDENTS and businesses are being urged to get behind a charitable appeal in St Austell to provide homeless people with Christmas presents.

The Daisy Dukes community interest company, which runs a pre-loved goods store in Victoria Place in the town centre, helps homeless people and others in need throughout the year.

With Christmas approaching, Debbie and Dave Delara, of Daisy Dukes, have launched a homeless Christmas present appeal.

Debbie said: “We’ve been serving the homeless since 2018, six days a week, all year round.

“Every year we serve our street homeless with Christmas presents.

“We genuinely know our street homeless and where they are in the cold and sleeping in tents.

“Together, Dave and I search the grounds of St Austell even on Christmas Day to ensure our street homeless are cared for.

“On Christmas Day, we have the privilege to check on them, and we have their trust to check on them and listen to them.”

Items wanted for the appeal include shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, hairbrushes, babywipes, tissues, hand cream and lip balm. Debbie and Dave say people should bear in mind when gifting that most of the people they help with presents are homeless men.

Clothing and footwear are also needed along with blankets and torches with batteries.

Presents such as chocolates, sweets, biscuits and individually-wrapped hot chocolate, tea and coffee will be welcomed.

People donating can also write Christmas cards to the people receiving the gifts.

Louise Marshall, a supporter of the appeal, said: “We are asking if shops and businesses would like to get involved. We hope they will let us have drop-off points so people can donate there.

“The Christmas presents do not necessarily have to be brand new but should be in a good condition.

“These people are in a very low place, and it would be nice to be able to show them that someone cares. We cannot magically solve their problems but we can support them and show kindness.”