Unlike other children his age, Thomas Bowden does not enjoy Christmas.

But this has not stopped the 10-year-old, who has autism, from going out of his way to help others, giving dozens of bags of food and clothing to Maidstone Day Centre.

Thomas, of Fullers Close, Bearsted, has enlisted the aid of family, friends and neighbours to collect vital supplies for the centre, which helps homeless people and those struggling to keep a roof over their head.

The building offers people a safe place to have a hot meal, wash clothes and have a shower, while staff are on hand to give advice on benefits and getting back into work.

Every year the KM’s You Can Help campaign supports Homeless Care, which runs the day centre in Knightrider Street.

It sees people give an item of canned food while doing their shopping and the stocks will be used by the centre throughout 2016.

The issue of homelessness struck a chord with Thomas.

His mother, Faye Squires, said: “The build up to Christmas is often very difficult.

“He finds it quite a stressful time of year so we decided to ask him if he would like to focus on helping others instead, and he decided to help the homeless in Maidstone.

“Last year we happened to be in the town and we saw a young man sitting in a doorway. Thomas asked us to buy him a cup of tea, but in the end we bought him a burger meal. And Thomas kept asking questions. It really upset him.”

Thomas collected money by cleaning cars and windows and, thanks to the generosity of other Bearsted residents and Pin Up Nails in Maidstone, he generated a haul of more than 20 bags of donations.

Mrs Squires added: “I am so proud of Thomas because at 10 he has made such a difference to homeless people. It doesn’t matter how old you are, everyone can help.

“He struggles with day-to-day life sometimes but he has a real kind heart.”

Where to donate

With one week left to go of the Kent Messenger's You Can Help campaign, it isn't too late for you to make a difference to someone experiencing hardship this Christmas.

There are dozens of donation points across Maidstone, Malling and The Weald, including:

• Morrisons, Sutton Road, Maidstone and New Hythe Lane, Larkfield
• Tesco, Farleigh Hill;Iceland, The Mall;St Simon Stock School, Oakwood Park, Maidstone
• Maidstone Grammar School Barton Road, Maidstone
• Maidstone Grammar School for Girls, Buckland Hill, Maidstone
• Invicta Girls Grammar, Huntsman Lane, Maidstone
• The Malling School, Beech Road, East Malling
• Valley Park School, Huntsman Lane, Maidstone
• Cornwallis Academy, Hubbards Lane, Linton;
• St Peter’s Church, Boughton Monchelsea
• Howard de Walden Children’s Centre, Bluett Street, Maidstone
• The Holy Trinity Church, Heath Road, Coxheath
• Oakwood Park Grammar School, Oakwood Road, Oakwood Park
• East Peckham Village Stores, Pound Road, East Peckham
• Co-op Branbridges Road, East Peckham
• Maplesden Noakes School, Buckland Road, Maidstone
• Kings Hill Rotary Club, The Spitfire, 1 Liberty Square, Kings Hill
• Kent Messenger’s office at 6 & 7 Middle Row, Maidstone.