TWO young boys moved by the sight of people sleeping rough have started a campaign to help the homeless.

Jack and Tom Hobbs were horrified to see people on the streets of Newcastle during a city visit from their home in Stanley, County Durham, at Christmas.

Despite their tender years, they have pledged to do what they can to help and have started to collect warm clothes, sleeping bags and blankets to donate to the needy.

Jack, nine, and Tom, five, started collecting things at St Mary's Junior School, where they are both pupils.

Proud father Gavin Hobbs, of Iveston Terrace, Shield Row, said: “We were out for dinner in Newcastle just after Christmas and my two boys saw homeless people on the streets for the first time and were both extremely upset and bothered about them.

“They decided they wanted to collect hats, coats, scarves, gloves, blankets and sleeping bags and start giving them to the homeless people to keep them warm.

“Jack and Tom are very passionate about this and have collected quite a bit already. We have got so much it is unbelievable.”

Car loads of gear will be taken to The Tommy Armstrong Centre in Stanley and The People’s Kitchen in Newcastle on Saturday.

It is being stored at St Joseph’s Church in Stanley. Anyone who wants to help can call Mr Hobbs on 07432-693-558 or take it straight to the church.