TWO children are trying to raise money to help homeless people keep warm over Christmas.

Cherri-mai Sparrow, aged eight, and Tyler Walker, aged six, came up with the idea to raise £300 to buy sleeping bags for homeless men and women in Hereford.

Proud mum Leanne Walker, 33, said her children first became aware of homeless people's plight last year.

She said: "It all started last year. My friend and I helped a homeless man who was on the street.

"He was not far from death and I came and told my children about the story and since then they have noticed him."

Cherri-mai then started to pay more attention and once asked for their picnic to be given to a homeless person.

Leanne, from Bishops Frome, said: "Then when it started getting colder Cherri-mai said to me, 'All these people are going to be so cold. It is a shame we haven't got any sleeping bags.'

"I told her we had two which we didn't use and we could give them away, which we did.

"The gratitude the one gentleman showed them for the sleeping bag just inspired them even more.

"Cherri-mai told me she wanted to raise money and help them. And my son said he wanted to do it too.

"I am so proud that both of them are wanting to do this."

Cherri-mai and Tyler, who go to Burley Gate Primary School, are aiming to raise £300 to give away sleeping bags.

Leanne, who also has a two-year-old called Milli, went to Mountain Warehouse in Hereford and they offered a 20 per cent discount on ten sleeping bags, which means she can now buy two more.

Their main concern is that these people have warmth over Christmas, Leanne said.

She added: "Cherri-mai said to me: 'When I am grown up I am going to open a hotel where homeless people can come and put their head down for the night.'"

To donate go to justgiving.com/crowdfunding/leannew85