Christmas single raises £10,000 for Leeds homeless charity
- Published
L-R: Clare Brooke, Becky Joyce and Shelley Joyce
Two women affected by homelessness have raised thousands of pounds to help vulnerable people by releasing a Christmas charity single.
The song Angels On Earth had raised almost £10,000 for Leeds-based charity Homeless Street Angels by Tuesday.
The organisation supports people on the streets and in supported accommodation.
Homeless Street Angels co-founder Becky Joyce said: "It's great what people can do with kind spirits and the same sort of passion to help people."
Becky, from Alwoodley, set up the charity with her twin sister Shelley in 2016, having found herself living in a squat when she used heroin.
"I got pregnant with my 17-year-old daughter, so it pushed me to stay clean," the mum-of-three, 50, said.
Clare Brooke, who sings on Angels on Earth, lost her cousin Danny Duffy after he ended up on the streets.
Mum-of-three Clare, 44, from Bramley, Leeds, said: "I couldn't save my cousin but we have saved so many others.
"To hit the £10,000 target is indescribable. I'm proud to be from Leeds. It brings me to tears to think people could help other people because that's what we need more of."
The song also features vocals from Jonathan Ansell of the band G4 and was produced and released thanks to the efforts of people volunteering their spare time to help.
'A whirlwind'
Becky, who balances her charity commitments with work as a cleaner, first had the idea of releasing a charity single this time last year.
She said: "It's been a whirlwind. I'm just so grateful that everyone's coming together."
The money raised will fund the charity's ongoing work and help pay for a day centre to further the support it can provide, Becky said.
The centre will be called Abi House in memory of Becky and Shelley's sister of the same name, who died in 2017.
Becky said: "The reason we started feeding the homeless was to show my kids the true meaning of Christmas.
"It's for families to come together, for people to show kindness.
"Since we started the charity we have saved so many lives and we will continue to do so."
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