A HOMELESS support group in Wyre Forest has launched a fundraising appeal for a "mobile soup kitchen" to deliver hot food to people on the streets.

The charitable group HELP, which supports homeless people in the area to get food, clothing and housing, is looking to raise £6,000 before the cold weather sets in to buy a second hand jiffy truck which will also act as a clothing bank.

HELP founder Dave Griffin said: "At the moment we operate a night kitchen in Kidderminster on a Monday evening and Simply Limitless provides a service on a Wednesday, so that means that from Wednesday through to Monday homeless people in Wyre Forest have no food - other than the bits they can get from begging on the street.

"We are getting homeless people virtually begging us for food because they haven't eaten for three days and some up to nearly a week.

"We want to raise enough money to buy a jiffy truck so that we can go and deliver food to people in need."

Half of the truck will be used to hand out drinks, soups, curries, stews and packed lunches to take away, and the other will be stocked up with donated clothing and blankets.

"I've looked into it and we'll need around £6,000 for the truck and to pay for insurance, tax and some fuel to get us started," said Dave.

"We're hoping local businesses might be willing to sponsor the truck in return for an advertisement on the side of the vehicle."

Volunteer Jo Ridsdill-Wardle added: "It's a good time of year to launch this appeal. It's getting colder and these people need a hot meal.

"Hopefully local takeaways might also be willing to donate some food for us to use once we have the truck."

Anyone looking to donate can go to justgiving.com/crowdfunding/feeding-those-in-need or send money via bank transfer to Lloyds Bank sort code 30-91-91, account number 38430260.