PARKING on a Rhyl street was blocked during Christmas Eve as residents rushed to drop off donations for rough sleepers.

In what was expected to be “just a small event” to feed the town’s homeless at the Water Street shop Peter Ridyards Second Hand Dealership, the outpouring of support from businesses and passersby has “100 percent overwhelmed” owner Steve Ridyard.

About 35 rough sleepers turned out for the event - which featured food and gifts of essentials - which was a bid for ex-offender Mr Ridyard to spread Christmas cheer to the most vulnerable in a bid to turn them away from a potential life of crime.

Mr Ridyard, originally of Manchester, said: “It was just manic, cars kept pulling up up everywhere - really expensive cars too, it was like a car convention - with whole families coming out to give out sleeping bags, quilts and things like gloves.

“It got to the point at about 7.45pm where people couldn’t even park on the street any more - I’m 100 percent overwhelmed.

“It was only supposed to be a small event, i never expected it to get as big as it was.”

As well as the generosity of the community on the night, residents also donated £140 - which was matched by Mr Ridyard - to supply food and gifts for the town hour event.

Originally, the plan was to use the nearby Fish and Chip shop Neelakash to supply a Christmas Eve meal for guests.

However, as the business was devastated in a fire on December 18, Mr Ridyard was donated the use of a burger van for the evening to continue the event.

He also received multiple donations from business in the area, as well as from staff at Iceland in Prestatyn.

Although the event was originally conceived to aid the homeless, Mr Ridyard shared surplus food with passersby for free.

Mr Ridyard added: “It was such a nice event, people inside the shop were in tears, and as I didn’t want to waste food I gave things out for free because it’s nice to be nice.

"We could do it every month and with the support from so many businesses will definitely succeed, and I would continue give my support from my shop if its help Rhyl's homeless get together and possibly start changing lives for the better."

Turn to Page 13 to for more events taking place in Rhyl for the homeless over Christmas.