SINCE launching at the start of November, the Real Change, Not Loose Change campaign has resonated with the Basingstoke community.

In little more than a month, residents and campaigners have helped raise more than £13,000 to help support rough sleepers in the borough during the festive period.

One of the schemes which the money has been supporting is the Night Light Winter Shelter, which aims to give rough sleepers shelter for the night.

The scheme has linked churches around Basingstoke to provide a safe place for vulnerable people to come and spend the night.

Liz Howe, project co-ordinator, said the night shelters has been working with registered rough sleepers to try and give them the tools to gain a better state of living.

With more than 250 volunteers helping at the night shelters Liz said she was as tonished at how generous the community has been.

She said: “With something like rough sleepers they are very visible and I think at this time of the year people think about those less fortunate.

“What has astounded me the most is how appreciative and thankful everyone who has come through the door has been.”

She continued: “We have one volunteer who said he couldn’t believe how much he had in common with one of the rough sleepers and that is a key aspect – that we are breaking down those barriers.”

With an estimated 15 to 30 people currently sleeping on the borough’s streets at any one time, the Real Change campaign aims to provide specialist support agencies who will work directly with people sleeping rough, with an aim to reduce homelessness and rough sleeping locally.

Backed by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, the campaign has shown how caring people in the borough are.

Deputy Leader and chair of the social inclusion partnership which runs the campaign, Cllr Terri Reid said: “This is a real insight into how shared intelligence and shared resources can really benefit people.

“We have gone from such a low point in rough sleepers to now where we are seeing such great support being provided.”

To find out more about the campaign and how to support it visit basingstoke.gov.uk/ real-change.