The organisers of an appeal to help the homeless and other vulnerable people this winter have been overwhelmed by the number of donations from kind-hearted people.

Community group Give Back to Stevenage held its Christmas Homeless Appeal at Seven Cafe Bar Lounge in the Old Town’s Middle Row last Friday.

The group had asked for donations for Stevenage Haven, a charity which operates two homeless hostels – The Haven in Stevenage and North Herts Sanctuary in Hitchin – and gifts for Letchworth’s Garden House Hospice patients.

Organiser Sam Wood said: “The appeal was an amazing success. We were overwhelmed with the amount of donations. “Stevenage Haven’s wish list was thoroughly topped up and several homeless people were given sleeping bags, brand new jogging bottoms, tops, scarves and hats.

“Hospice staff were amazed at the amount of presents received.”