A CHARITY is hoping to help more homeless people than even with their annual Christmas shoebox appeal.

Street Life Sarnies (SLS), which collects and donates items to homeless projects across Gwent, have launched their annual shoebox appeal.

This is their fourth year of collecting items for the homeless, and this year they hope to collect even more boxes which will be distributed to people in need across South Wales and Bristol.

Last year the charity collected more than 1,500 boxes which were distributed to places including night shelters, outreach kerbside teams, family hostels and safe houses.

SLS founder Claire Day said: “”We have been astounded at the generosity from across the region over the last three years, especially for the Christmas appeals.

“We need friends, neighbours and communities to pull together and see if we can smash last years record as need is rising.”

The results from the Wallich’s Rough Sleepers Intervention Team rough sleeper report found that there has been a 19 per cent increase in rough sleeping in Newport alone since 2016.

Mrs Day added: “Although we can’t help every single homeless person, for each shoebox , new toy or chocolate selection you give then someone will feel love, kindness and have a boost of self worth at a really tough time of year. “

Shoeboxes should be labelled male or female and should include a packet of biscuits, a packet of sweets, 390g bar of chocolate, body spray, fluffy socks, a packet of tissues or wipes and a packet of cards, or puzzle book with a pen.

Chocolate selection boxes and new toys are so welcome too and they will be given to children in council emergency accommodation, hostels and refuges.

The charity ask that lids should not be sealed so they can check the box’s contents.

Boxes can be dropped off at one of the many collection points located across Gwent including the Halifax on Commercial Street, Newport, Country Flowers in Caldicot, Melin Homes in Pontypool and Abertillery Dental Practice which is located on Somerset Street.

A full list of local drop off points can be found at facebook.com/groups/streetlifesarnies.

You can also donate online at gofundme.com/4oenpug. Every penny donated will be spent on resources.

For more information contact sls.homeless@gmail.com.