A YOUNG mum has turned to social media to set up a new scheme to feed Bolton’s homeless people.

One Sunday three months ago, Vicki Lomax was so appalled at the idea of binning leftovers from a roast chicken dinner she had just fed to her two children that she jumped in her car and took it to Bolton to give to homeless people she came across in Bradshawgate.

“I just thought ‘I can’t bin it – not when there are people who haven’t eaten and have no idea whether they will get a meal,’” she said.

The hot meal was so well received by the first four men she found that she vowed to make it a regular donation.

So 26-year-old Miss Lomax, from Great Lever, set up a Facebook page and appealed for donations of disposable cutlery and bowls.

“I was amazed at the response,” she said.

It was so overwhelming that the Bolton’s Helping Hands Facebook group now has 68 members working together to provide hot meals almost daily for people living rough in the town centre.

Word has got around and now an average of 10 homeless men tuck into a hearty meal cooked by group members each day.

“We usually plan it at the beginning of the week. Some people cook and some people take the food out and some make packed lunches,” said Miss Lomax.

“One lady always cooks on a Monday and I collect it and take it into town.”

Miss Lomax takes her children, nine-year-old Alicia and Thomas, aged two, with her to distribute the food.

“I take them out with me so that they can see that other people are not as lucky as they are,” she said.

The group has received donations of food to cook from local businesses, such as the Peppermill café in Farnworth, and after an appeal on social media staff at the SCS furniture store gathered and donated warm winter clothes for Helping Hands’ clients.

Miss Lomax is hoping to expand the enterprise further so the group can help make sure more homeless people in the town receive a daily hot meal.

“We have been trying to get a kitchen in town so we can feed more people properly, but we’re not having much luck,” she said.

In the meantime, the group is still looking for more donations of clothing.

“From the items we receive, we take a few out for the group to give out and we pass the rest on to other charities and groups who help the homeless,” said Miss Lomax.

Anyone interested in donating or getting involved with the scheme can contact Miss Lomax via the Bolton Helping Hands Facebook page.