HUNDREDS of vulnerable people will be kept warm this winter after an appeal for sleeping bags hit its target.

Sleeping bags are handed out to homeless and needy people every Friday by volunteers working for a foodbank operated by Darlington’s Salvation Army.

An appeal launched at the beginning of the summer has allowed the organisation to buy 300 bags to give out.

Captain Colin Bradshaw, leader of the Salvation Army in Darlington, thanked the local community for rallying around to help its most needy.

He said:”We know lives were saved last year because everyone who needed a sleeping bag got one and they didn’t just sleep in these bags, they lived in them, trying to keep warm every cold day.

“Last winter, the oldest person to need a sleeping bag was a 78-year-old lady and four out of ten people we gave them to were over-50 – all of whom couldn’t afford to put their heating on.

“Many won’t realise this, but people on the lowest income or benefits pay the highest rate for their electric and gas.”

He added: “If someone had told me last September that grandparents would be queuing up at our foodbank for food and a sleeping bag I’d have thought they were insane, yet week after week I’ve gone home saddened that people are in this terrible situation.

“Last winter, we bought sleeping bags each week as donations came in which meant sometimes we ran out and had to tell someone who was freezing to try next week.

“This Friday, with a storeroom full of sleeping bags, we’ll have enough and no-one will go without – we can look them in the face with a smile because we can help them to stay warm and we can help them stay alive.”