A FREE community event will help those who are homeless or in need of support over the Christmas period.

The Hereford Christmas Community Health and Wellbeing Event will take place on Thursday, December 21 between 12pm and 4pm at the Rowing Club in Hereford.

On the day there will be a complimentary lunch, health checks and pet checks, haircuts, complementary therapies and treatments, food packages, clothing and pet food.

The event has been organised by Alice Ford, 26, from Hereford, who wanted to take a proactive approach towards helping those who might be struggling.

She said: "I have been wanting to help for a while but haven't really known what to do. I met a guy who has been homeless for some time and realised I wanted to do something proactive.

"This will offer hot food and technical services in a neutral environment. Hopefully it will go well and we can help people either side of Christmas."

The event is aimed at homeless people, rough sleepers, those who might be sofa surfing and families which might be struggling. But Alice said it's really open to anybody that would benefit from any support.

There will also be hot showers available, teas and coffees and support from local services like SHYPP, Home Group, Home Start, Herefordshire Veterans Support and No Wrong Door.

There will also be food and health care packages, female and baby care supplies, children's toys, clothing and essentials supplies.

Many of the items have been donated by members of the community and Alice said organisers have been overwhelmed by the level of support.

She said: ""We have had a lot of support and had a really fantastic response and lots of people wanted to help out on the day. I think a lot of people want to help but they just don't necessarily know how, so this is a great opportunity for people to be able to offer support.

"It's also an opportunity to highlight the issues surrounding homelessness and social welfare and proactively do something that can help, and reduce people's worries over Christmas."

Donations are still being collected (until December 18). Drop-off points are Morrisons for toys, Santander for clothing, food at Enterprise on Holmer Road and health supplies and any toiletries at Brookfield Vets.

Anyone who would like to donate can visit gofundme.com/4r17rw0