KIND-HEARTED Wollaston widow Vi Wood has set up a charity in memory of her late husband Leslie to help homeless people in the borough.

Vi, a part-time carer, has vowed to help the homeless following her own experiences when she was in danger of losing her own home.

She set up the charity 'Leslie's care packages for the homeless' in August through Facebook and already it has attracted a big response from generous people across the Black Country.

Vi arranges community collections of warm clothing, toiletries, food items and other essentials which she then takes to various centres across the borough.

She revealed: "I lost my husband to cancer in April and because I am a German citizen, I came close to losing my own home. I want to try and help change people's perception of homelessness. It can happen to anyone.

"When my husband passed away at the age of 59 it was the end of my world and my life changed in a split second.

"We lived in Kinver for 10 years and moved to Wollaston a year ago.

"I wanted to do something for the homeless, but when I researched it I found there were plenty of places in Wolverhampton and Birmingham but very little in this area.

"I collect items and take them to places like Saltbrook Place in Lye, Heaven's Kitchen in Dudley and Halesowen's Hope Centre.

"People can see what they've donated and where they have gone.

"I'm trying to spread the word in the hope some local businesses will come on board and support us."

Vi has also set up a 'Fund Me' page and has currently raised £320.

She added: "People have been very generous but we still need to try and make more people aware."

To find out more about Vi's charity go to Leslie's Care Packages for the Homeless on Facebook or to make a donation type in LesliesCarePackagesfortheHomeless on www.justgiving.com