A CAMPAIGNER for the homeless has stood down from a voluntary organisation she helped set up seven years ago.

Edith Crook MBE, chairman of Help the Homeless (Chorley), has retired due to family health reasons.

The 63-year-old launched the group after realising there was a problem with homelessnes in the town, and it was her long experience as a housing warden and receptionist for North British Housing Association, which stood her in good stead for the role.

Fellow founding member, Michael Carter, paid tribute to their former leader, saying: "The warmth of her personality and her feeling for the needs of others made her ideal for this role.

"From the early days when Help the Homeless (Chorley) simply ran a drop-in centre on Friday afternoons it has grown massively under her leadership." Edith, married for 41 years to Michael, 62, who also supported the group, oversaw the group as it moved into its own office, bought a van and rented a large warehouse to hold the furniture which they distribute to homeless people who are being rehoused.

She was made an MBE for her work in housing over a period of 18 years.

Edith, of Eaves Lane, Chorley, said she had enjoyed her time with the group and felt it had had some tangible results. She said: "There have been people who we have helped who are now carrying on helping us."

"The office is manned by trained staff who provide advice and assistance and run a rent bond guarantee scheme to help those who do not qualify for public housing to rent private flats and houses."

"Volunteers man the reception and help clients by giving them some of the multitude of kitchen and household goods which make a completely empty house into a home."

He added: "Edith's value has already been publicly recognised twice.

"Six years ago she won a national award for employees of NBHA and instead of choosing something of personal benefit she asked for a van which she immediately donated to Help the Homeless (Chorley).

"Four years ago she was awarded the MBE for her work in housing over a period of 18 years.

"It was with great regret that Edith resigned recently for family health reasons.

"As everyone who knows her would expect, she is not giving up entirely but will continue to help us in many ways, including fund raising and giving talks to interested groups.