HEALS of Malmesbury has launched its annual appeal and will this year raise funds for people with mental health issues and the homeless.

The support group, which stands for Help, Empowerment and Local Support, was set up to help those in need and carries out its work with funds given by the public through appeals, donations and by fundraising.

Alison Cross-Jones, co-founder and general manager, said: “At HEALS we give people a hand-up, not a hand-out. We help people by funding essential items.

“This year our appeal predominantly supports people who have become homeless through no fault of their own.

“People can become homeless for a number of reasons and we want to help those people by making our centre accessible, helping and supporting them to find accommodation and providing them with essential items so that they can start their lives afresh.

“We can only give out what we get in and we rely on community generosity, so every donation, no matter what amount, is greatly appreciated.”

The appeal runs until the end of the month. To donate visit: https://localgiving.com/appeal/givetoshowappeal2016