Birkenhead business centre organised the Rucksack Project in partnership with Wirral Chamber of Commerce and the Birkenhead BID to help those sleeping rough on the streets in the coming months

The Lauries Rucksack Challenge campaign has led to the donation of more than five hundred rucksacks and bags of essential items to support Wirral’s homeless.

The Birkenhead business centre organised the Rucksack Project in partnership with Wirral Chamber of Commerce and the Birkenhead BID to help those sleeping rough on the streets during the freezing winter months.

Businesses from Wirral and further afield, together with the public showed amazing support by donating rucksacks filled with items such as hats, gloves, blankets, together with toiletries and a range of food.

At the presentation at The Lauries the items collected were handed over to YMCA Wirral and the Charles Thompson Mission to be used during the months ahead.

Paula Basnett, speaking on behalf of The Lauries, said, “The response for this initiative has been both brilliant and also very humbling – it has made us all more aware of the work which both YMCA Wirral and the Charles Thompson Mission provides throughout the year.

“It has also highlighted the amazing generosity and kindness of the business community and the people of Wirral.” 

Nigel Hughes, Chief Executive of YMCA Wirral said, “It is fantastic that businesses and individuals have donated such an amount of items which undoubtedly will be life saving in the months ahead.”