A GROUP of volunteers in Burnham-on-Sea have pulled together to raise more than £500 to help a homeless man. 

Matthew, who has been sleeping rough in the town for the last few days, was spotted by representatives from Hands of Change, a community group based in Burnham, who decided to set up a Just Giving page to help him get back on his feet. 

The group launched a social media campaign yesterday (June 7) to try and help the troubled man and raised more than £230 in the space of an hour.

Since the fundraising page was set up £512 has been raised to help Matthew.

Kay Barrett, a member of Hands of Change who set up the group said: "As a group we ask our volunteers to keep an eye out for any homeless people and we heard about this gentleman Matthew.

"We asked folks to let him know about the 'pay it forward' scheme at Relish and check if he was ok.

"They were happy to do so and also provided him with some other food.

"During one of these chats we found out that his coat had been stolen.

"One of the volunteers husbands decided to pay for one night's B&B for him.

"We were able to give him some clothes and a new coat and trainers that had been donated for him too.

"On the back of this it was suggested that we try and crowd fund one weeks B&B for him, this was done in one evening, in fact the target was passed in under an hour. 

"We can but hope that knowing he has a roof over his head and somewhere to sleep will help give him the strength to address his situation and manage to get some work which he has told us he is keen to do."

A spokesman for Hands of Change has said the appeal for donations has been suspended and the group are working with a volunteer from Somewhere House to help Matthew.