A SERIES of charitable events are taking place in Bolton to help highlight a campaign to support the vulnerable.

The Hope for Change campaign is organised by The Bolton Family.

The partnership of more than 40 local organisations, businesses and charities is working together to improve the town and strengthen communities.

Hope for Change is an initiative that encourages people to donate to local charities that support vulnerable people, rather than giving money directly to people sleeping or begging on the street.

Some of the partners include Bolton at Home, the housing options section of Bolton Council, the homeless and vulnerable adults nursing service at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, and Achieve Bolton Treatment and Recovery Services.

Dave Bagley, chief executive of Urban Outreach Bolton, one supporter, said: “Hope for Change is an important initiative that enables some of our most vulnerable people to get the targeted support they need.

“People who give money or food directly to people on the streets have good intentions, but this doesn’t address the complicated range of issues they may be facing, such as addiction, mental health issues, or exposure to abuse and violence.

“It also prevents some of the street begging activity that’s linked to organised crime. By giving the money to local charities that support vulnerable people instead we can encourage them to get the right support to turn their lives around, rather than continuing to enable their life on the street.”

There will be two town centre events. The first will take place this Friday and the other is hopefully next Wednesday. Each gathering will take place to the south of Victoria Square, from 11am to 3pm, close to the front of the town hall, according to organisers. If you want to find out more about campaign, and donate online, go online to www.boltonhopeforchange.org.uk