Shelter the Homeless in Rochdale donate items to Rochdale's homeless

Shelter the Homeless helping Rochdale’s homeless

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Shelter the Homeless in Rochdale team went has donated blankets, sleeping bags and food to Rochdale’s homeless.

Volunteer charity and events organiser, Nabeel Mustafa, and Arfan decided they would help out the homeless, before collecting donations with the help of Jimmy Michael Hall and Avais Neza. They shared posts online seeking goods and monetary donations, which were then used to purchase sleeping bags, blankets, hot cooked food and drinks.

The group gave items to five of Rochdale’s homeless population who were sleeping rough.

Nabeel said: “We are here to help the less fortunate, to make them smile with the help of everyone’s donations. Let's not allow the homeless to suffer this winter when we as a community can help. Love and respect to everyone.”

The group documented their efforts, to show the recipients’ appreciation as a ‘thank you’ to those who had donated items or money to Shelter the Homeless in Rochdale.

The video had over 39,000 views with mostly positive feedback from people.

Nabeel said: “We had so much love and respect from followers, also many wanted to contribute as well as help collect donated clothes and blankets to help.

“It was also nice to find out hot food gets served on a weekly basis in the town centre, many can contribute there. Every little helps. From this we received a wonderful donation of hand knitted blankets, really touched on how strangers can all come together as a community when needed.

“In regards to any negativity, all I can say in relation to this is, I understand everyone has a background. Good and bad, addictions, job loss, family issues, illnesses- the list goes on. And any one of these issues could have been the cause of why they are on the streets today.

“We are not going to judge anyone’s situation, we all have faults and weaknesses but we are blessed to have a roof over our head and food on the table. Situations in life come and go, for some they have support, some have ability and will power to do something to help them get out of those situations, but for some addictions, some are too extreme to get out of or they are unable to pay for treatment.

“It’s not just addicts out there, there are many other reasons which none of us can even think of happening, but all we can do is help: help by donating, help by going out there giving them food and water.

“Rather throw away clothes, donate them, someone, somewhere can wear them just to keep warm.

Nabeel says the group are planning to return to help out again Rochdale in around two week's time.