SHOPPERS at a Worcester supermarket have been called “amazing” for the support they’ve shown to the city’s rough sleepers.

Almost £500 was given to the Worcestershire Night Assessment Centre (NAC) by customers at the Sainsbury’s store in St John’s.

A number of food, household and clothing items were also handed over to the centre which opened this week at the YMCA hostel in Henwick Road in Worcester and provides rough sleepers with a safe place to stay throughout the cold winter months. The NAC, which also offers hot food and drink plus the chance to shower, is managed by St Paul’s Hostel on Tallow Hill.

Food, clothing and household items, including biscuits, shampoo and socks, were also donated by Sainsbury’s customers.

“Thank you to everyone who helped out or gave something to the NAC donation drive,” said Lisa Richards, who co-ordinated the event.

“It was totally amazing with dozens of shoppers giving so generously to help the homeless in the city.”

She thanked Worcester Mayor, Councillor Pat Agar, for supporting the donation drive, along with volunteers from St Paul’s and Louise Shaw from Sainsbury’s for organising the event.

The donations mean the NAC can open for about 16 weeks, with donations still flooding in. It will open until Sunday, March 16, 2014 between 9.30pm and 7am each night and is followed by a breakfast club. It has space for about 24 rough sleepers who are able to receive shelter, warm food, drinks and support from experienced staff and volunteers. St Paul’s says the Dogs Trust also helps out by ensuring the health of dogs owned by those using the centre. The service is funded by Worcestershire County Council, Wychavon, Wyre Forest, Worcester City and Bromsgrove District Councils. Donna King from St Paul’s said: “This is an example of what third sector and public sector can do together to deliver a much needed facility to the homeless.”