Thousands of pounds have been raised for a Kent charity that supports people on the streets.

Maidstone Homeless Care was inundated with donations of money, food, clothes and toiletries as part of its You Can Help appeal – supported by KentOnline and now in its 22nd year.

Residents, businesses, churches and schools have all contributed.

As well as a day centre in Knightrider Street, the charity runs a food bank and halfway house to help homeless people transition into permanent accommodation.

Throughout December, the charity has collected vital donations to support vulnerable men and women in the County Town.

This year it needed help more than ever, as it was revealed staff had received an unprecedented number of family referrals in September.

This was put down to the cost of getting children ready for the new academic year.

A dad who recently became homeless also spoke to KentOnline, saying he was “too embarrassed” to admit he needed help.

“Before my situation, I didn’t even know this place existed,” he said. “It's my first time being homeless.

“I was really struggling with my mental health and to be honest with you this place has been a godsend. I don't know what I would have done without it.”

Manager Tara Beckett believes mental health is a “thread that seems to run through nearly everyone that walks through the door.”

She said: “People's lives can downward spiral very quickly.

“I think there are things that are out of their control – rent, mortgage rates and food prices going up.

“They were surviving on what they could do, but their money is just going a lot quicker or not going as far. We all feel it at the moment.”

The 50-year-old started working at the day centre at the beginning of April.

After being part of the corporate world, she decided to have a complete career change.

“I think for me turning towards a more worthy cause actually stems from both my parents being ill and losing them both in 2019/2020,” she explained.

“I just felt I needed to give back and try to ease people's struggles, which you know you can't always do, but I had to have a purpose.

“I think I had a big purpose in the last five years of my parents’ lives – looking after them and making their life better – when that purpose went I had a hole I needed to fill.”

She added: “What I have found is that Maidstone is an incredibly charitable town.

“It amazes me that people are still thinking of giving, even when they're trying to look after themselves. It's been unbelievable really.”

Students and staff at schools throughout the festive period worked together to collect food for the cause.

Maidstone Grammar School sent more than £1,200 and Cornwallis Academy collected 10 trays of food, as well as paying a visit to the day centre.

St Simon Stock donated dozens of tins for the drive and sent a heartfelt email to the team.

"Your dedication to alleviating hunger and supporting those in need is truly inspiring,” it said.

“The impact of your efforts extends far beyond the mere collection of items; it resonates with the spirit of generosity and community that binds us all together.”

Invicta Girls Grammar, Maidstone Girls Grammar, Maplesden Noakes and Oakwood Park Grammar also supported the campaign.

Across the borough local companies and businesses contributed too.

Construction company Graham visited the centre to give food, clothes and a £25 gift voucher.

DHL, which has a branch in Hermitage Lane, made multiple donations over the years and delivered boxes full of tins.

The charity was also presented with a £750 cheque by Brian Ball from Maidstone Masonic Centre.

For the fourth year running, teenager Callum Dunne decorated his front garden in Queen Elizabeth Square with a fantastic lights display.

More than 20 neighbours gathered on Saturday, November 18, to support him and celebrate the festive switch-on.

So far more than £5,500 has been raised for the charity.

To give money click here, or to donate items please message manager@homelesscare.org.uk.

You can also purchase a specific item via Maidstone Homeless Care’s Amazon Wish List.

Chairman Des Long said: “The generous response from the community, schools and churches this year has been remarkable considering families are under such consistent financial pressure.

“We have been particularly pleased to have such a positive response from local schools, as we have wanted to encourage children to visit the day centre and see for themselves the impact their donations have on the food bank service and support to individual homeless people in the centre.

“I would like to thank everyone involved in supporting Homeless Care this year as their donations are a vital part of our support to homeless people in Maidstone.”