Shoppers asked to buy into new campaign to help people on the streets

Richard Shaw, Sanctuary Trust; Denis Skelton, Petrus; Councillor Shaun O'Neill, Chairman of the Rochdale Township; Margaret Wight, Rochdale Foodbank; Mark Foxley, Rochdale Town Centre Management

A new initiative is urging visitors to Rochdale town centre to donate online instead of giving money to people on the streets.

The aim of 'Big Change Rochdale' is to encourage people to donate either their time or cash to local charities, rather than giving directly to people asking for money.

The move, which has been spearheaded by Rochdale Town Centre Management with support from the council, the police and local charities, is designed to support people who are sleeping rough in Rochdale at the moment, and others who beg in the town centre.

Denis Skelton, from Petrus, one of the charities involved in the scheme, said: "Donations will help us give people even more help with jobs and training, counselling and advice with benefits, as well as clothing and food and help with housing. They will also help us run our supported housing scheme for vulnerable women in central Rochdale.

"People who donate can be sure that their money will be going straight to those who need it and helping them in really practical ways."

Mark Foxley, from Rochdale Town Centre Management, said: "We are proud to have a lot of very compassionate people here in Rochdale who want to help but sometimes giving money directly can make things worse."

Councillor Shaun O'Neill, Chairman of the Rochdale Township, said: "We have some people on our streets who are vulnerable and in need of support, but giving money to them directly isn't a good idea. The charities are the best people to help them build a life away from the streets and by giving via this website, you can help them do just that."

Donate now: http://bigchangerochdale.co.uk