Nursing staff are making life for the homeless a little bit easier this Christmas by collecting a range of essential items.

The maternity department at Darent Valley Hospital, in Darenth Wood Road, Dartford, are collecting handbags and rucksacks which they’ll fill for the homeless this year.

The idea blossomed as more and more staff at the site donated bags, toiletries, sanitary wear, brushes, new underwear and dog treats for other causes.

From the last week of November until Christmas Day they will be visiting homeless people in the area with bags full of gifts, handing them out to people in need.

Midwife Lesley Wright, of Millfield Lane, New Ash Green, who organised the collection says the cheap items they are giving away make it easy for anyone to help.

She said: “We got the idea from previous years when we donated shoe boxes to Afghanistan.

"These gifts can make a lot of difference..." - Lesley Wright

“Then there was a suggestion on Facebook to do it for homeless woman and I thought we could do that and then it went mad.

“Everyone was so keen to help out.

“Then we were worried about not doing anything for men, so we decided to collect rucksacks and small gifts for them.”

Lesley mentioned that the NHS workers will also be putting Christmas cards in the bags they are giving away, as the whole idea was to help the homeless during the festive period.

“The 55-year-old has collected more than 40 bags and rucksacks but is hoping to get more than 100 by the time they hand them out.

She added: “These gifts can make a lot of difference to their lives, and it’s so easy to donate and help out.”

To join in on the donating you can contact Belinda Pitts on 01322 428100.