A GWENT woman who started a campaign to help South Wales' homeless has won an award.

Claire Day, from Undy, set up Street Life Sarnies in July 2014 and has seen the group grow to more than 1,000 members. The group puts out appeals for donated items including food and bedding which is then distributed to organisations who work with homeless people.

Ms Day has now been given a Halifax Giving Extra Award which recognises people making a positive difference in their local community.

Now in its third year, the awards, run by Halifax bank, have in the past recognised charity fundraisers, sports coaches, community volunteers and many more.

Nominated by a volunteer at the Cwmbran Community Centre, Ms Day now works with a team of volunteers to offer a pipe line of food, clothing and resources for projects that work with the homeless and vulnerable in Newport, Bristol, Cwmbran, Cardiff, and the Merthyr areas.

Ms Day said: “I was surprised but also delighted to win an award.

"We are honoured to be recognised for an award - we would be nothing without the amazing people in the community who are so generous with their donations and who really want to help people in the community. It is lovely to have this recognition”.

Natalie Samuel, community ambassador for Halifax Gloucester and Wales East, said: “The work that Claire has done for the community is outstanding and truly deserves this recognition. She has truly gone the extra mile for people in our community – and we are delighted to recognise this.”

Ms Day and the other award winners will each receive £300 in Supercheque vouchers and each one of the 66 local winners will then be put forward to be chosen as one of our seven regional winners.