A GROUP of volunteers who help the homeless are raising money to get people off the streets.

Swindon Helping Hands Helping the Homeless have already successfully rehomed one rough sleeper, as reported in the Adver yesterday.

Karl Alexander moved into new accommodation earlier this month after generous group members donated enough money to pay for a few months of rent at a flat in Cheney Manor.

He had been made homeless last year and spent months sleeping out in the cold before Swindon Helping Hands volunteers offered to get him a place to stay.

The group is aiming to keep their fundraising efforts going to rescue a second homeless person while continuing to support Karl as he looks for work and becomes self-sufficient again.

The group has grown exponentially since it was first formed in November last year - it now has 3,400 members on its facebook page.

Its most active volunteers go out every evening to meet homeless people in Swindon and offer assistance by giving them food, blankets and other useful items.

The biggest event in the group's calendar is the black-tie fundraiser at Swindon MECA, a glamorous gala which will be held on Saturday March 17 from 7pm to 1am.

There will be a red carpet, a three course meal, live music and entertainment and an auction at the event, plus a glass of Prosecco for every guest when they arrive.

All the money raised will go towards funds for supported accommodation for Swindon’s homeless.

Swindon Helping Hands is co-managed by Rachel Tucker and Gemma George.

Rachel said: “It's incredible, I never thought the group would get this big this quickly, it's gone crazy."

Gemma said: "We were really happy when we reached the goal for Karl but it was also quite daunting because there's a lot at stake and we needed to do it right, it's a big responsibility.

"I'm a single parent with two children and a full-time job so it's difficult and it's taken its toll, but I'm committed to this and determined to deliver.

"We are getting a lot of support, especially from small businesses, but we desperately need people to buy tables at the ball.

"I want to say a big thank-you to the Meca for letting us have the venue for free, and to everyone who's offered their help and donated prizes."

Entertainment will include dance performance from Kitty Langan Studios and music from Dancin' Easy featuring Kim Cypher, who will perform classic soul, funk, and Motown songs.

The raffle and auction prizes include restaurant vouchers, tickets to Swindon Town FC and Swindon Wildcats matches, golf days, fitness classes, beauty vouchers, valet service, ringside seats at a boxing event, a mini break in Cornwall, and a yacht holiday in Mallorca.

Admission to the ball for one person costs £56, and a table of 10 people costs £501.

For more information, visit Swindon Helping Hands’ facebook page.

To book tickets, visit mecaswindon.co.uk/events-tickets/2018/march/swindon-helping-hands-ball