A draw has taken place in the Red Lion Pub, Paulton, for Laney and Mark Sandon James’ Homeless Project, raising over a thousand pounds for the cause.

Overseeing the raffle were Laney Sandon James, Gail Garlick, from Pride in Paulton and B&NES Councillor for Paulton, Liz Hardman.

Laney and Mark are an incredible couple who work tirelessly for the homeless in Bath. Each year, they organise a Christmas draw to raise money to help fund their

activities. This year, they managed to obtain 160 prizes, ranging from Afternoon Tea for ten at the Guildhall, to a Spa Day at a luxury Spa Hotel, Music Lessons and Sunday lunches in local pubs, amongst many other prizes. Altogether, the raffle has raised an impressive £1,404 for their Homeless Charity.

The couple run their Homeless Project from Paulton each Saturday. Each week, since 2014, they go into Bath and walk a four-mile route around the city distributing food packages, thermal socks, fingerless gloves, scarves, feminine hygiene products, wet wipes, underwear, shower packs (including 20p for the public shower and a small towel) and dog food. When they finish this, they join the soup run, provided by the Genesis Trust and give out more socks, hats, gloves and cakes.

Laney and Mark have help from local people who donate food, bake cakes, or give money to help them source the items they supply. On Christmas Eve, Laney and Mark will take Christmas Shoeboxes filled with gifts for all those they find living rough on the streets, with lots of items including fingerless gloves, scarves, Christmas socks, soap and a washcloth, a brush or comb, toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, chewing gum, a chocolate bar, a wash bag, a cracker and a Christmas card with hot food vouchers in each one. They also make sure each dog gets a Christmas Box of goodies.

But it is the human contact which is so important for those who are homeless. Laney said: “Sometimes, besides the things we provide, the most important thing is just stopping, saying ‘Hello’ and giving five minutes to have a conversation.”

Well done to an exceptional Paulton couple who help the homeless, not just at

Christmas, but all year round. Readers can find out more and follow what they do via the Facebook page – Laney and Mark’s Homeless Project.

Liz Hardman