PEOPLE in Basingstoke and Deane have once again dug deep to support rough sleepers in the borough.

For the second year in a row the Social Inclusion Partnership (SIP) has run the Real Change, Not Loose Change campaign to help vulnerable people in Basingstoke.

The aim of this year’s campaign was to raise £16,180 which would be distributed between churches who run the Night Light winter shelter, the Camrose Centre and Julian House which would provide storage solutions for rough sleepers posessions.

Now, that target has been reached, chair of the SIP, councillor Terri Reid, said it is something people of Basingstoke should be ‘proud of’.

As well as cash donations, this year more businesses, schools and community groups got involved hosting various events to collect bedding, clothing and food.

Cllr Reid said: “We already knew that the people of Basingstoke were compassionate and were really invested in the campaign, but to reach the target again is fantastic.

“It makes you feel really proud to be from Basingstoke, it is such a wonderful place and the people who live here are amazing.”

She added: “It really shows the community cohesion Basingstoke has and how willing people are to get involved with something which has such a local impact.”

A major part of the Real Change, Not Loose Change campaign has been the work of the SIP, which brings together voluntary, statutory, faith and community groups, who have worked in partnership to deliver various services to help rough sleepers.

Cllr Reid said it is this partnership which has made an impact on the rough sleepers themselves.

She added: “We have found that people on the streets have responded better to volunteers than people working for the statutory authorities, and it also means we have a better understanding of their needs.

“And what is amazing is that they just want to get on and help. Whenever we have meetings people are excited to get in the room and just figure out what we can do next.”

Now the money has been raised £5,000 will go to the Night Light Winter Shelter, £4,160 to the Camrose Centre to allow it to open an extra day and £5,432 to Julien House.