Homeless will die warns good Samaritain helping Corby's rough sleepers

A volunteer who has been working with homeless people in Corby town centre has highlighted their plight saying she thinks they will die in the current coronavirus crisis.

Sylvia Strain had been volunteering with Corby Nightlight providing hot meals for the town's hungry and homeless but the catering van was shut down temporarily last Thursday (March 19), with the decision being made to close the truck permanently on Monday (March 23) in response to the continuing coronavirus outbreak.

On Thursday, Sylvia, who had worked the Wednesday night shift serving meals to rough sleepers, was horrified to find that many of the clients had not eaten all day.

She said: "They are going to die out there. They shouldn't be on the streets and nobody seems to be doing much.

"The guys are hungry and because I get on well with them I go out and find them and take them food. I keep my distance and keep sanitised."

Sylvia has been buying food using her own money and with donations from Exeter - A Learning Community Academy using any leftover lunches.

She also had a donation of chicken from Nandos and some food from the Helping Hands - Corby Facebook group.

She said: "I'm going out doing my rounds with sandwiches, a flask and a crate of Irn Bru but I can't do it alone and they can't stay outside.

"I just hope that their immune systems are strong. It's absolutely awful. They've nowhere to sleep."

Sylvia hopes to set up a Go Fund Me page to help the homeless people and rough sleepers.

She added: "I think everyone can be helped. I'm sure that something can be done."