Spud van raises money for homeless charity

Bradley Gibbs and Max Linduschka run Spud-on-Sea which is usually pitched at Roots Hall in Southend-on-Sea

Friends who run a jacket potato business have started a campaign selling spuds to raise money for a homeless charity.

Spud-on-Sea, which is usually pitched at Southend United FC's stadium, Roots Hall, started the campaign A Jacket 4 Jackie where they would give £1 from every jacket potato sold to a charity.

Max Linduschka and Bradley Gibbs, both from Essex, were also hoping to donate 100,000 jackets to Off The Streets, asking people to donate their spare clothes.

Mr Linduschka said: "We thought 'What can we do to impact the community and bring us a viral message along the way', and that is where this campaign sort of launched."

Spud-on-Sea was Mr Linduschka's idea after he wanted to set up a business selling "the classic jacket potato".

The 32-year-old from Leigh-on-Sea said a "jacket for you" was "a jacket for them" as customers would be supporting a local charity.

Off the Streets, a homeless charity based in Southend-on-Sea, helps to get people living on the streets into permanent accommodation.

Mr Gibbs, who is from Wickford, said: "Everyone at one point or another in their lives has been in a situation where they have no had somewhere to stay potential, or been struggling to find accommodation."

The 31-year-old added that they wanted to bring "back something to the community and help out".

They are set to cycle about 350 miles in November to raise extra funds

The pair are set to cycle from Carlisle, in Cumbria, to Southend on 1 November, travelling about 350 miles across seven days.

Mr Gibbs said: "Southend United being in the national league we know the furthest route they are going is Carlisle."

They said as well as cycling they would spread the message of their campaign to get as many jackets donated before winter.

Mr Linduschka added that they want to reach "out to the community, and not just within Essex, but on a national scale".

He said they were aiming to "create social awareness" and "help save lives and bring a positive message".

They also started a JustGiving page to raise funds which go directly to the charity.