Chef raises £800 for homeless man after tent fire

The remains of the homeless man's belongings after the fire

A man who is raising money to replace a homeless person’s belongings after they went up in flames says he has been “overwhelmed” by the response.

Dylan Matten, a chef from Bognor Regis, was walking through the town on Sunday when he saw fire crews extinguishing the homeless man’s tent.

“It broke my heart, so I set up the fundraiser,” said Mr Matten, who has raised nearly £800 for a complete stranger in just two days.

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service confirmed it responded to a fire in London Road and is investigating its cause.

Dylan Matten said he was 'heartbroken' when he saw what had happened

Mr Matten said: “I don’t know him, but I started the fundraiser to remind him that there are good people in the world.

"Hopefully we can raise enough money to get him a proper roof."

The BBC understands the homeless man is being supported by two charities in the town.

Stonepillow, which operates a hostel and support hub in Bognor Regis, said losing belongings in these circumstances is a “double whammy”.

“If people are already having to sleep in a doorway, to lose those items means they will have to start all over again,” said the charity’s director of operations, Jason Halliwell.

“We can replace things like tents, but we can’t replace personal belongings like photographs.”

Mr Halliwell added that as the average life expectancy of a person living on the streets long-term is just 44, charities like Stonepillow are vital.