AS we tuck into the turkey leftovers after indulging in the Christmas festivities – one charity is gearing itself up for another year of helping those less fortunate.

The WhyCome project was launched to help High Wycombe's homeless population in 2004 by Robert Layman and his church group from Downley.

The group meets once a month at the Green Street Community Centre to hand out clothes and food, and to provide support and advice to those less fortunate.

Mr Layman, who also works for a homeless organisation in Slough, said: “I've worked in Slough for 11 years and my view was that this work is important.

“But there were homeless people in Wycombe and the surrounding areas as well, who had no-where to go and they really needed somewhere to turn to.

“So we started up this project because, at the time, High Wycombe didn't have anything for the homeless. It started out as a once a month event, we had about 15 people show up to the first one but now we get 40, 50 people plus.

“We provide clothing, food and advice to people. We also set up and refer people to other organisations and charities to help them on their feet – and we should also thank our volunteers that continue to make a difference.”

The cold snap forced the Desborough Street venue to close its doors, meaning the band of volunteers were unable to hand out supplies and donated festive gifts to the vulnerable.

But Mr Layman said the charity still plans to give out the presents post Christmas, as a new year push to secure a permanent day centre for the homeless begins.

He said: “I feel that vulnerable people don't have have a voice sometimes, so they need to use organisations such as ourselves and the Wycombe Homeless Connection to push for them and there is a great need for a day centre here.

“We're working with other organisations to try and make a day centre happen because the vulnerable people of this area need support.”

Email Robert at robert.layman@hotmail.co.uk for more information or to donate items or your services to help the organisation.