A “very caring” Radcliffe youngster is appealing for donations to help some of the region’s most vulnerable people this Christmas.

With the help of his family, six-year-old Charlie Ward has launched a Christmas Mission appeal in aid of two charities supporting the homeless in Manchester.

The Hollins Grundy Primary pupil is gathering donations of clothing, sleeping bags, food and cash in support of Two Brews, a charity proving hot meals an essential item for those living on the streets.

Charlie’s mum, Liane Ward, says her son was inspired to start the appeal after seeing homeless people in his own community and wanted to do what he could to help.

Liane said: “Every time he sees homeless people he just says ‘I want to give them money’, he’s quite a sensitive boy, his teachers always say he puts other people first.”

From now until the beginning of November, Charlie and Liane, 36, brother Jack, 13 and dad Tom, 39, will be collecting as much as they can for Two Brews with any extras going to Coffee for Craig, another charity which runs a drop-in service for homeless people in Manchester.

The Ward family chose to help Two Brews as they have a connection to the organisation through a friend who volunteers with them.

They are regular supporters of charities and Liane says this is the first time they have undertaken such a challenge.

Liane, who works on Bury Market, added: “This is the first time that we’ve done this, Charlie just came home and told his dad that this is what he wants to do for Christmas, he is always trying to help other people.”

Family and friends have already begun to lend a hand and have so far collected a big bag of cloths as well as £60 in donations.

“We want to raise as much as possible, as much as we can,” Liane said.