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Homeless support group steps up help in cold snap

BBC Ronny English wearing a grey The North Face hat and pink hi-vis jacket over a black jacket in front of a vehicle with resources. BBC
Ronny English says the situation for homeless people in the freezing conditions was "absolutely terrible"

A community group which supports homeless people has said it has stepped up its help for those sleeping rough as temperatures have plummeted.

Don't Walk Past hands out food, drinks and sleeping bags six nights a week in Manchester.

Founder Ronny English said the situation in the city was "absolutely terrible" and it has been made "even worse" in the freezing weather conditions.

Manchester City Council's deputy leader Joanna Midgley said an offer of a warm space indoors was available to "anyone who wants one".

Mr English said the group had been out "feeding as many homeless people as we can find" during the recent cold snap.

Midgley said the council offered year-round help, but the authority's support had also been stepped up in freezing temperatures to include "extra emergency accommodation and round-the-clock outreach".

Mr English, from Salford, said the outreach group had also increased its help.

"It is this time when people die because they are laying on cold floors; no sleeping bags, no blankets and that's why people die at this time of the year," he said.

"So we try to do a little bit extra."

A man stands behind a picture of a pizza at a fast food restaurant. He is wearing a black hoodie and a blue beanie hat.
Glenn is homeless and said the cold rain was the worst as it was hard to get dry

The 60-year-old said: "We've started doing an extra three outreaches per night to run alongside the five we already do."

Kathryn Wright, 41, is a volunteer for the group after she had been homeless in the past.

"It is really horrible," she said, adding that she "hated" sleeping rough.

She said she was helped by the Booth Centre and the Don't Walk Past group which had inspired her to help others.

"I feel sorry for them which is why I volunteer with Ronny," she said.

Glenn, 51, who is homeless, said he was taking shelter wherever he could to keep out of the cold.

"I don't mind the snow but the rain when it is really cold is the worst because it is getting dry afterwards," he said.

"The last few days... has been really bad because even in the built up areas it is icy all the time so if you get wet you're in danger."

Manchester City Council said it was "working hard" with other organisations, which made up the city's Homeless Partnership to address the issue.

Midgley said: "In Manchester, the overall number of people sleeping rough is relatively stable", but she added that one person sleeping rough was "too many".

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