Homelessness is a growing issue in the UK, with the charity Shelter last year reporting a 4% rise in people living on the streets – the equivalent of 36 new people becoming homeless every day.

Gerry Watkins from Cirencester has recognised the challenges that homeless people in his local area face and has started ‘The Big Yellow Bus Project’ to try and help.

“I have been doing charity events to raise funds for homeless veterans for 18 years,” he explained.

“I started The Big Yellow Bus Project in September 2017 after I read about a homeless guy having his tent set on fire and thought “how can I help homeless people in my local area?”

The project began with Gerry – a HGV driver and warehouse worker by trade – mostly working alone, but as time went by and word spread, the support from his community has grown.

He continued: “It’s not been easy as I had very little support from the start which meant I was working at my job in the day, then going straight to the bus and working till 10pm at night and every weekend, plus holding events to raise funds to buy materials.

“But the sheer kindness of the Cirencester community is fantastic. We’ve also had support from all over the UK and even USA, Australia and other places abroad I have never heard of before!”

Thanks to donations and fundraisers, the converted double decker bus is now a safe and secure shelter for homeless people to use, with the only requirement being that they sign up to a rehabilitation course.

Gerry added: “The bus itself has seven beds – two female quarters and five male beds, with a kitchen and chill out area. It offers a warm and dry safe place to stay.

“The bus came to a total of £29,000 which is not bad a price to help seven people change their lives.”

Gerry has more fundraisers planned for the future, including a Ska and Punk night on Saturday 23rd February at Golden Farm in Cirencester.

“I have lots of events coming up all the time to help raise funds,” said Gerry. “Most include live music, I do bingo every month at Cirencester Town Football Club, I do ladies nights, quiz nights – you name it, I will do it.

“This is just one of the buses I have planned. I want to do two in Gloucester, one in Stroud and two in Swindon, but first I need this bus in Cirencester fully functioning before I start the next one.”

For more information visit www.facebook.com/Bigyellowbusproject