DO you give money to people begging in the street? Experts and some of the biggest charities advise against it.

But, when you’re faced with someone plainly in need of a helping hand, it is hard to turn away.

Unfortunately, there are now many more people begging on the streets in places like Bolton.

That was brought home last Saturday when my sister and I sat in the sunshine on a bench outside Marks & Spencer’s in Deansgate. Seated on the pavement just outside the store sat one young man with a paper cup. He occasionally mumbled to passersby about “change” but otherwise just sat there: a sad figure.

Then, a young man came along with a plastic bag full of what looked like possessions. Could we spare some change for him, please? He was just out of care, had no benefit money and needed help.

We both dug out £1 and gave it to him, chatting for a little while and wishing him well. We’ve both got children and it’s not difficult to imagine our own in such a desperate situation.

Not many people along the rows of benches, dotted with individuals, gave him anything. Most just shook their head and he walked away.

Then a slightly older young man came along. He had bad teeth but looked fit and had a heavy backpack. He asked for help towards the £5 he needed for a night in a local hostel. He confirmed the name of the place and he told us a little about himself.

Was he able to work? Yes, and wanted to, he said, but he had nowhere to stay. Without an address he couldn’t get a job and without a job he couldn’t afford a bedsit. The classic Catch-22 situation.

I dug out some more change and so did my sister to ensure he had a night indoors and also gave something to the lad sitting in front of us.

Were we just a pair of mugs being royally conned by young men wanting cash for alcohol or drugs? Are we contributing to the problem? I know that all either of us could think at that moment was helping to alleviate what looked like sad lives.

Homelessness today is a major problem that’s complex and with no quick-fix. But compassion fatigue can be cured and is it wrong sometimes to show that we do still care?