MORE than 2,000 children across the south west could wake up homeless on Christmas Day.

And Wiltshire people are being asked to dig deep to help with the financial pressure faced by councils to provide homes for people as the cold weather approaches.

National housing charity Shelter has launched its winter appeal and says advisers are becoming overwhelmed with calls for help from the growing number of families battling to keep a roof over their heads.

Alison Mohammed, director of services at Shelter, said: “There’s nothing more heartbreaking than hearing the voice of a parent who’s desperately trying to keep a roof over their children’s heads.

“But the sad fact is, almost every day, we hear from families who’ve fallen on hard times and found themselves living in a single cramped room of a B&B or hostel, unable to give their children the environment they need to grow and thrive in.

“Worrying about your child’s safety every day, eating dinners on the floor, and sharing beds – this is no way for a family to live. But sadly we know we’re going to have even more families coming to us who are facing the reality of Christmas without a place to call home.

“That’s why we urgently need the public’s support to help us make sure we can be there for more homeless families this Christmas.”

To support Shelter’s Christmas appeal visit www.shelter.org.uk or text SHELTER to 70060 to donate £3.