Homeless charity facing closure without more funds

Lifeshare serves around 400 breakfasts to vulnerable people every weekend

A charity which provides meals for vulnerable people may have to close after Christmas if they receive no further funding.

Lifeshare serves breakfast to around 400 people every weekend in Manchester city centre.

The charity needs around £10,000 a month to maintain the service, and say they are "in desperate need of cash" to cover mounting bills.

The people they feed have described the service as a lifeline, adding that Lifeshare volunteers make them feel "supported and safe".

Jane Carroll is a trustee of Lifeshare

Lifeshare serves breakfasts from a building on Dale Street, in Manchester's Northern Quarter, on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Last year, the charity served more than 15,000 meals.

But the charity has to cover not only of the cost of the food, but also the rent, electricity and gas bills.

"Our food costs have rocketed. It's a lot of money [to find]," says Jane Carroll, one of the charity's trustees.

"We're in desperate need of cash now. If we don't get that support in the next few months, we won't survive after Christmas.

"This service is vital for these people - and we will not have this charity if we cannot bring in some additional money," says Ms Carroll.

Mark Monaghan has been sleeping rough, in a tent, in east Manchester

Mark Monaghan, 51, has been sleeping in a tent in Clayton Vale in east Manchester for six months.

"I split up from my missus, and four years down the line, I'm sleeping in a tent," he says.

"It just goes downhill so rapid - and before you know it, you've got nothing."

Mark doesn't know what he would do without the support offered by Lifeshare: "I come here at least twice a week for my breakfast. I love coming here, it's cool".

Lifeshare was founded 40 years ago, in 1984, by volunteers who became aware of the growing number of people sleeping rough in Manchester city centre.

It began with handing out bacon butties, but ten years later, they were providing full English breakfasts.

Last year, the charity was serving meals to around 150 people a week, but those numbers have risen significantly this year - to around 400.

Scott Kavanagh recently found some accommodation after years of sleeping rough

Scott Kavanagh, 41, used to sleep rough in Manchester city centre, but recently found a place to live in Wythenshawe.

He said: "I was 16 when I hit the streets.

"I used to sleep in doorways and railway arches; I used to take crack, heroin and cocaine - but now I've been clean for seven years.

"Three weeks ago, I got my own accommodation - but it's very hard indeed. I've now got bills to pay, like gas and electricity.

"I'm on Universal Credit and at the end of the month, I've got nothing.

"I come here to Lifeshare to meet the gang. What a great bunch of guys they are! They make you feel welcome, supported and safe."