A COMEDIAN based in Reading is raising funds to provide the town's homeless with supplies for the winter.

Preet Singh, a full time comedian and podcaster, said he had the idea to make 50 'care packages' containing food, vitamins, and warm clothing after speaking to a homeless man in Reading town centre last month.

He said: "My family and I are Sikh, and I was chatting to my aunty and my mum about the importance of charity and community and also how to relay it to modern life.

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"A few hours later, by pure chance I was waiting outside Nando's waiting for my food when a homeless person came up to me and asked if I had any change.

"I didn't have any at the time, and he had some food with him, but he seemed really devastated.

"I asked him why he was so frustrated and he told me with Coronavirus and people not people being in town as much, they weren't getting enough money to buy socks, gloves and blankets for the winter.

"It was a very brief chat, but he was open with me about his concerns,.

"He was worried about flu and how none of the homeless had face masks, or a place to reliably wash their hands.

"So I asked him, if I could help what would you guys need for the winter? - He made a list, and I did some research myself."

Each care package, which is to be created and donated by Mr Singh and his mum, contains items such as dry snacks, a blanket, multivitamins, socks, gloves and more.

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So far, the GoFundMe page has reached £500 of its £880 target - the exact amount of money needed to purchase the supplies.

Mr Singh added: "The reason the care packs are £17.60 each is because I didn't want to do the cheap thing and buy something that's not going to last.

"I wanted to give stuff that I would wear and that is actually useful."

To donate, visit gofundme.com/f/wintercovid-care-packs-for-the-homeless. Mr Singh has also said he will be posting updates on the care packs and delivery at twitter.com/comedypreet.