STEVIE Bristow’s thoughts were swirling around her head one night recently when she decided this was the perfect time of year to do something positive.

She said: “I was lying there, feeling a little cold, when I realised that I was really quite selfish.

“I thought ‘there are people out on the streets who have nothing and I am in bed. In a house’.”

The 27-year-old got up and took action to help the homeless. She was also inspired by a family member who had been made homeless - and the tragic news of a homeless man who had frozen to death in Birmingham during one of the coldest nights of the year.

Stevie, who lives with her parents in Temptin Avenue, Canvey, has now set up a Facebook page called “Help Us Help Them in Essex”.

She has asked people to donate items that could then be distributed to local groups which help homeless people. She has been amazed by the response.

She said: “I can’t believe how quickly it has all happened. I set up the page last week and we have a bathroom full of donations already.

“People were saying they had a couple of bits they were happy to donate so I was expecting a carrier bag full, but they would have several bags full of items.

“It is really nice to see people really do care about the homeless people.”

She added she had seen homeless people on Canvey and in surrounding towns who needed support. Before Christmas.

Donations include a bag of coats, trainers, a pop up tent, a box of crisps and hundreds more items.

These have already started to be dispersed to groups such as Homeless Help in Basildon. Stevie went to meet some of the people who were receiving the donations and said it was heart warming.

She said: “One person couldn’t believe we were giving him a coat to wear. He kept asking us if we were sure he could have it.

“It is nice to know that we can put a smile on someone’s face, even if it is just for five minutes.

“At least that is something. These people really, really do need the help.

“They are not asking for anything - we are asking on their behalf.”

If you have any items to donate, visit facebook.com/groups/356965091346539/

Stevie is also looking for anywhere that can be used to store the donations.

Please contact her on the group’s page above if you can help.