A VITAL lifeline for homeless people in a country town is appealing for support from the public to continue its work for the next 12 months.

Maggs Day Centre in Worcester opened its satellite centre in Malvern, following the death of Joby Sparrey, a homeless man who was found in the doorway of Brays department store on Christmas morning 2018.

Mel Kirk, Maggs chief executive, said: “Maggs has helped many people in need across Malvern since opening a day centre on Newtown road for a 12-month trial.

“However, we do not want to undo the good work that we have achieved so far if we had to close and support was withdrawn. “Therefore, we are appealing to every Malvern resident to donate just a few pounds.

“In the 2011 census the number of residents in Malvern Hills was 74,631 so if everyone on this census donated 25p each via Spacehive then we would achieve our goal and Malvern Maggs can continue for another 12 months "

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The spokesman added the total running cost for 12 months is around £35,000 and this provides a day centre in Malvern for two days per week.

Town cllr Samantha Charles said: “People of Malvern need to show their support for the day centre as it’s a vital place for rough sleepers to use.

“There’s uncertainty for the issue of rough sleepers at the moment as the Government is yet to announce how they will be supported like they did at the start of lockdown in March.”

The centre was proposed by Malvern Cares, a group of Malvern charities, residents and councillors including the Malvern Hills Foodbank, Churches Together in Malvern, the Salvation Army and Lyttelton Well.

These groups came together in response to the increasing numbers of people struggling with problems of homelessness.

At the end of 2018, Malvern Hills District Council voted unanimously in favour of adopting a new homelessness strategy in Malvern as part of the Worcestershire Strategic Direction for Tackling Homelessness 2018 -2021.

The decision came after they heard that the number of rough sleepers in Worcester had risen from 12 to 24 causing fears there could be a similar increase in Malvern if no action is taken.

A funding page has been set up on Spacehive with the aim to raise around £30,000 and, so far, £8,467 has been achieved through donations.

To donate, visit: https://www.spacehive.com/maggs-malvern-for-the-homeless