A HOUSING group is asking people to help with a collection for homeless people in the North West this Christmas.

Leigh-based Adactus Housing Group wants people to donate shoe boxes full of items that will make the life of someone who sleeps rough a little bit more bearable on December 25.

Paul Lees, Chief Executive of Adactus, said: "Fortunately we don’t have a big rough sleeper problem in Leigh, but elsewhere in the North West it is all too common to see people sleeping in doorways. People can be homeless for all kinds of reasons but there is usually something that links them all – they have little or nothing in the way of personal possessions and are a long way from living a life of luxury."

Adactus is asking for the shoe boxes to include toiletries such as toothpaste, shampoo, cotton buds, hair brushes, wipes, shower gel and toothbrushes. Items such as biscuits, juice drinks, sweets, cereal bars and chocolate or clothing such as gloves and hats are also welcome.

Paul added: "We are asking the generous and warm hearted people of Leigh to do a little something to help those less fortunate than themselves. By putting a few items in a shoe box, wrapping the box up and giving it to us to pass on to a suitable charity, donors will be able to provide real and practical help for the most needy this Christmas."

Donations can be handed in to Adactus at Turner House, 56 King Street, Leigh, WN7 4LJ.