Wigan charity supporter overwhelmed by generosity of residents donating to help homeless people

She initially hoped to collect enough goods to fill a hamper to hand over but donations soon began flowing in and she amassed six large boxes and a number of bags full of canned and tinned food, staples such as rice and pasta and toiletries.

Bryony wanted to support The Brick as she went out to Cambodia for three months last year on an international project and as part of it had to do something for help her local community on her return.

She said: “I thought I would ask people on my estate and I’ve ended up with quite a lot.

“It’s far more than I thought I would get. I didn’t expect a response like this at all and I’m really pleased.

“I thought there would just be enough for a small hamper but I had to ring The Brick and ask if they had enough room to collect it all.”

Family, friends and neighbours all chipped in to help Bryony’s charity efforts, and she also took her collections to Standish where some of her relatives live.

Her mum Jane Reeve also collected food donations from her colleagues at Lloyds Bank in Wigan.

A message from the Editorial Director, Gillian Parkinson:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. But I also have an urgent plea to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality local news on this free-to-read site and in print, please purchase a copy of our newspaper as well.With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on our town centres and many of our valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you buying a copy when you pop out for your essential shop or subscribing for delivery.

Our journalists are highly trained by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards anywhere in the world.

Our content is universally trusted - as all independent research proves.

As Baroness Barran said in a House of Lords debate on the importance of journalists: "Not only are they a trusted source of facts, but they will have a role to play in rallying communities and getting the message across about how we can keep ourselves and our families safe, and protect our NHS. Undoubtedly, they have a critical role."

But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis. In return we will continue to forensically cover the local news - not only the impact of the virus but all the positive and uplifting news happening in these dark days.

We thank all our readers and advertisers for their understanding and support - and we wish YOU all the best in the coming weeks. Keep safe, and follow the Government advice. Thank you.

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE:You can subscribe for delivery by contacting us at [email protected] or calling us on 0330 4033004 for details of a participating newsagent near you.