MORE than 100 young people helped a Wirral charity hand out hot meals and blankets to the homeless as part of a National Citizen Service scheme.

The 'AK's Angels' team of young people chose to support Charles Thompson's Mission in Birkenhead, one of Wirral's largest homeless organisations.

They group also raised £529 through a sponsored walk, cake sales and charity collections, and used the money to paint and clean the Mission's premises.

They also created 30 ruck sacks with essential items like blankets, and cooked a hot meal for 60 service users.

The Charles Thompson Mission in Birkenhead has been a lifeline for more than 120 years.

It opens its doors to more than 70 people five days a week, offering them hot meals and a chance to escape the poverty they have come so accustom to.

Set up in 1892 by grocer Charles Thompson, the Mission – on Hemingford Street – aimed to ease the suffering of youngsters in poverty and donations came from local shops, businesses and individuals.

Praising the youths for their help Bernie Frost - who has been manager for five years - said: "We have enjoyed having the young folk from NCS with us at the mission and thank them for all the hard work and enthusiasm they have given to the project."

The scheme gives young people aged 16 and 17 and all those in Years 11 and 12 the chance to go on short breaks, do volunteering work in their communities.

Cllr Tony Smith, cabinet Member for children and family services said: "Every year our young NCS volunteers devote their summers to helping other people, getting valuable work experience and learning important skills like teamwork, budgeting and communications.

"The NCS programme helps to support Wirral’s young people to prepare for work and adulthood, one of our 2020 council plan pledges.

"This year’s NCS scheme includes an outdoor pursuits adventure, a camping trip to Wirral Country Park and the planning and implementation of an important social action project in their local community."

This year’s scheme was also bigger than ever, with three tranches running throughout the summer and 180 places up for grabs.

The scheme can be integrated with the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award and with citizenship lessons.