A DETERMINED Barnsley man is all set to hand out much-needed supplies to the town's homeless this Christmas.
Adie Flute, 40, of Old School Court, Barugh Green, read about The Rucksack Project several weeks ago and decided to help out in his hometown.
Founded in 2009 by Mathew White in Bristol, the scheme has flourished giving the less fortunate help through the harsh winter months.
A Facebook page set up by Adie has attracted nearly 200 people willing to get involved and on Thursday, December 19, the packs will be handed out to those in need.
One man's determination has culminated in supplies being handed in by caring residents at drop-off points at the Digital Media Centre on County Way and at Barnsley FC's Community Sports & Education Trust building.
A further donation from retailer JD Sports has given warm clothing to the project.
"The response to the original article on We Are Barnsley and the Facebook event has been great," Adie said. "Now it's about putting that initial success into action.
"Given we're lucky to have relatively low numbers of homeless in the town, the packs will also help those who have fallen on hard times.
"We're asking that everyone gets their packs ready for the 18th and hands them in at our drop-off sites so that we have time to pull all these packs together for the next day.
"We'll then fill out the necessary slips to show that the packs have been donated through the project to avoid any potential accusations of theft."
It's hoped that more people will donate items to fill rucksacks filled with things such as sleeping bags, coats, hats, gloves, socks and underwear.
Flasks with soup and tins with ring pulls on are also being asked for.
Caroline Hyde, co-ordinator of the Barnsley Churches Drop-In Project (BCDP) who have helped Adie, provide hot meals three times a week for the town's less fortunate.
They've been running for 11 years and are there for people with addictions, debt problems and the town's homeless.
"We consistently get between 75-100 people per session here so there's a clear need," she said. "It's a brilliant idea and we were keen to get involved."
Founder Mathew was inspired to start the project after witnessing people fretting about unimportant issues.
"It's meant to be the season of goodwill," he said.
"I felt like we lost the meaning of Christmas, so I did something that was so simple to make a difference to people's lives."
Having approached local charity shops and explained his cause, slowly but surely kind-hearted people came out to help and Mathew took the donations to Steve, a homeless man on Bristol's streets.
"Words can't express how grateful they were," he added. "That's the best present I could have given anyone at Christmas."
Adie added: "The homeless and those in need do tend to get extra help around Christmas time as the cold season ties in with people's thoughts on giving.
"However, their need stretches far wider than just the months of December and January and so any packs that we have left over after the handout on the 19th will be safely stored away with the guys at BCDP so that they can be handed out at a future date when needed."
If you'd like to get involved, click here. Comment on the event with any questions or queries you may have.
