YOUNG people are celebrating the season of good will to all men by helping those who will be sleeping rough on the streets this Christmas.

Bolton Sixth Form students are collecting everyday essentials to pack rucksacks and handbags to be distributed to those without a home.

Sharon Marshall said: “We are running this through college and appealing for essentials to pack as many bags as possible.

“It is part of SHARE — Students Homelessness Awareness Raising Enterprise — and the bags will be distributed by Bolton Young Persons Housing Scheme.

“The students have been so enthusiastic about the project, there has been so much energy for it.”

Organisers are appealing for sleeping bags, socks and underwear, short and long sleeved T-shirts, hats, scarves and gloves, deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo, comb, toothpaste and sanitary wear.

All goods can be dropped off at the college, with leaflets about the project throughout public buildings in the town centre. The appeal has been launched as part of the college’s work to raise awareness of homelessness and the issues people sleeping rough face.

The college first highlighted the issue in 2015, after a student came up with the idea of organising a writing competition to raise awareness of the increasing number of people seen sleeping on the street.

So popular was the competition, the pieces were published in a book with proceeds going to help the homeless. Another book has since been published to raise awareness of female homelessness.

Ms Marshall said: “I thought we’d have about 10 students enter, but so many entered and we had Dave Spikey launch the book at Waterstones.”

Through the writing competition, SHARE was launched, with plans to set it up as a charity in the future.

Ms Marshall said: “So many people are keen to help and show they care.”

She added that it was only through education that people understand the issues surrounding homelessness.

Donations can been made at the college and organisers are keen to hear from businesses who can help support the appeal.

The collection ends of December 15 so the bags can be packed and the items delivered to those in need.