STAFF at The Comet got together to give a homeless shelter some early Christmas presents last week. Comet reporter Hannah Gray was so impressed with the work done by North Herts Sanctuary in Nightingale Way, Hitchin when she wrote about it last week that

STAFF at The Comet got together to give a homeless shelter some early Christmas presents last week.

Comet reporter Hannah Gray was so impressed with the work done by North Herts Sanctuary in Nightingale Way, Hitchin when she wrote about it last week that she decided to collect donations for the centre.

Hannah sent an email round The Comet's Stevenage office asking for donations of food, tea, coffee and bed linen, and was very pleased with the response.

She said: "I was very impressed with the whole ethos of the place, which is not just about providing a bed for the night but also helping people address the reasons for their homelessness.

"I felt I had to do something to help and I asked my colleagues to put a couple of extra items in their trolleys when they did their Christmas food shopping.

"Some people in my office were just so generous and I got a lot of support."

Hannah went along to the shelter last Friday to present the goods to the sanctuary's manager Judy Recontre.

Judy said: "We are so grateful for the things The Comet has donated, they will be really useful to us."

The Comet's article on the shelter had also made an impact, with readers ringing up to offer donations and to see if they could become a volunteer.

The homeless man featured in the paper, Paul Fitchford, an unemployed chef, had also been offered a job with live-in accommodation.

Judy said: "The article was really good and has got such a wonderful response from the public.

"Lots of people have been ringing up and saying they didn't know we were here and asking how they can help."

* If you would like to make a donation to the shelter, cheques should be made payable to North Herts Sanctuary and sent to 25 Nightingale Road, Hitchin, SG5 1QU. Donations of food including tea and coffee, tins of fruit and custard, cereals and biscuits, plus bed linen, towels and toiletries are also gratefully received. Ring the shelter on 01462 435835 for more information.