A SOCIAL enterprise launched to help the homeless in East Lancashire could soon become a bonafide charity.

The Help The Homeless internet movement, borne out of a single Facebook message last winter, has evolved into a county-wide project providing the needy with hot food, clothing, and vital advice.

Now, project manager Wes Hall, from Burnley, said steps were being taken to register the movement as an official charity.

He said: “To submit our constitution, we need £5,000. We’re also fundraising for a catering trailer to act as a mobile soup kitchen to operate throughout Lancashire, feeding and clothing the homeless, and also offering outreach support and housing advice.

“We also need a van, or possibly a people carrier that can be used to transport donations, volunteers, and homeless people.

“Our project needs finance to progress and there are certain events we want to host, and conferences we need to attend to raise awareness to make the changes in government that are needed.”

The project, originally inspired by Nelson man Liam Canning, has seen kind-hearted strangers brave cold nights to set up and man a weekly mobile soup kitchen on the car park opposite Blackburn Fire Station from 8.30pm every Wednesday.

Help is also available at the side of Burnley Library, from 7.30pm every Wednesday.

Wes, who left home at 15, and has experienced homelessness himself, said: “This initiative is growing into something special and I’m so thankful to the people that help to make it happen.

“That’s the beauty of what we’re doing, people simply caring.“ He said the £5,000 would be used to both register with the Charities Commission, and to buy the trailer, which will also be taken to festivals across the UK.

Manned by homeless people, it will see one free meal given to the needy for every meal sold.

Mr Hall asked for anyone interested in helping out the organisation to go www.helpthehomeless.org.uk