CAMPAIGNERS pitched tents to show their support for Southend’s homeless community.

Volunteers from Warrior Soup Kitchen turned Jubilee Beach into a sea of tents to raise awareness of the plight of the town’s homeless.

The community has been in the spotlight after it emerged a “shanty town” of more than 15 people had been set up in Southend’s cliff gardens.

The protest followed a call from Rochford and Southend East MP James Duddridge for the homeless to be moved on, after questioning why they had “only turned up in the warm weather”.

A number of organisations provide support and help for the homeless with the Warrior Soup Kitchen handing out hot food, drinks and sleeping bags three times a week.

Committee member Jo Bates said: “We’ve had an amazing amount of support and so many people have come down to see what’s going on.

“We’ve had local councillors, buskers turn up to entertain us and face painting is going on.

“We want to raise awareness really. There are so many homeless people in Southend and they need help.

“This event has shown there is a real community spirit behind us.

“James Duddridge said they were all on their jollies, but they’re not, it’s part of their life.”

Julian Ware-Lane, Labour councillor for Milton ward, Southend, praised the event.

He said: “There is an unseen army of volunteers working at the soup kitchens and shelters, paying for people to have a good meal, or a coffee. It’s extremely humbling and their work is a credit to Southend.

“This is an important issue and one that needs to be tackled and is part of a wider issue about how we have got to a point when people depend on these volunteers.”

Warrior Soup Kitchen is asking people to donate bedding, clothes, toiletries, tents and torches.

To help, search Warrior Soup Kitchen on Facebook or visit the team at the back of the H&T Pawnbrokers, in Southchurch Road, on Mondays and Fridays between 7pm and 9pm.