Mansfield man Stuart Brown is urging residents to back a Christmas shoebox appeal — to help homeless people in Mansfield and their pets.

The aim is to collect donations of shoebox-sized boxes filled with essentials, which will then be distributed around the area.

The Mansfield Homeless Christmas Shoebox Appeal is part of the wider Homeless Shoebox Appeal running across the UK.

Donated items could include gloves, socks, toiletries, sanitary products, dried foods and more.

The appeal is also asking for boxes for dogs of homeless people, filled with food, blankets, leads, poo bags or treats.

Details of drop-off points for the shoeboxes are at the appeal’s Facebook page — www.facebook.com/mansfieldhomelessshoeboxappeal

The boxes will be distributed through homeless organisations including Framework, Mansfield YMCA and soup kitchens.

Stuart Brown, who volunteers at Bridge Street Methodist Church soup kitchen in Mansfield on a Friday, said: “This is a local appeal to benefit local people. Christmas is traditionally a time for giving, so what better time to help those in need.

“If only one person donates, that is one person who won’t have to go without this Christmas.”

For further information go to the Face-book page or email Stuart Brown on [email protected]