THE vital work of a charity helping Wirral's homeless and needy has been given a funding boost.

Charles Thompson Mission will use the £8,000 from the Morrisons Foundation to support homeless people with food, toiletries, sanitisers and hygiene products as well as provide essential items to key-services to help them throughout the coronavirus outbreak.

Bernie Frost, manager at the charity said: "Charles Thompson’s Mission are delighted to have had the support of the Morrisons Foundation in our work with the homeless community in Birkenhead and the wider Wirral community.

"The support received enables us to continue providing help and essential resources to those in great need at this difficult time.

"In addition to helping people who have become homeless, we have been able to supply packs of food and essential items to Arrowe Park Hospital, local hostels, key workers and many care homes throughout the Wirral.

"We are so grateful to the Foundation, whose generous support has been much appreciated and helped so many people in need".

The mission was opened in 1892 by Charles Thompson.

He died in 1903, but his goals lived on through daughter Annie who took over and was the charity's Lady Superintendent for 60 years.

She was awarded the MBE in 1953 for services to the people of Birkenhead.

The mission provides food, furniture, clothes, healthcare, counselling services and even toys for the borough's poorest children.

Bernie Frost first got involved 14 years ago as a volunteer and has been manager for seven years.

A recent sleep-out in aid of the Charles Thompson Mission in raised an incredible £13,800.80.

People swapped their warm beds for a cold night on the street on November 29 for the Wirral charity helping the homeless and needy.

Around 60 people laid out their sleeping bags in the carpark of the mission's premises in Hemingford Street in exchange for donations to the charity.

David Scott, Morrisons Foundation trustee said: "The Morrisons Foundation is committed to helping the most vulnerable in our society.

"The current pandemic has presented a particular risk to homeless people as they often are unable to get access to healthy meals and medications, so I'm very pleased that we have been able to fund Charles Thompson Mission's work in the community."

The Morrisons Foundation was set up by Morrisons supermarket in 2015 and awards grants for charity projects which help improve people's lives.

Since launching over £29 million has been donated to hundreds of charities across England, Scotland and Wales.

Local charities are encouraged to visit www.morrisonsfoundation.com to find out how to apply for a grant.