An appeal has been launched for funding so that a drink and drugs rehabilitation charity can expand its street outreach work to reach those most in need.

The service, run by the Yalding-based Kenward Trust, has been in operation on a relatively small scale for the past two years.

It was the inspiration of Dee Bonett, who has dedicated her life to helping the homeless after her best friend, John Chadwick, took his own life seven years ago.

The 52-year-old had lived on the streets in London for two years before being transferred to Kenward Trust’s Rehabilitation Programme, by St Mungo’s Homeless Charity, in 2007.

He took his own life in 2017 after being refused permission to take his pets with him into emergency accommodation found for him by Maidstone council.

Ms Bonett met him in 2008 and was so inspired by his story that she later started working at the Kenward Trust.

Now she and colleague Paula Da Silva meet Maidstone’s homeless when they attend the Hungry Hearts For The Homeless soup kitchen in the College Road car park every Monday and Wednesday.

She said: “We are able to help those with substance abuse issues by signposting them to get help. We also help with benefits claims, housing applications, anything that can be helpful.”

But she said: “We could do more if we had extra funding

“We could work more hours and attend additional events in the community.

“We could advertise the service with posters and leaflets and reach others who don’t come to the soup kitchen.

“And perhaps we could find an indoor space to talk to those who need our help.”

“Sometimes a public car park is not the best place to explain complicated and very personal issues around benefit claims and the like.”

Anyone able to help the service can make a donation here.

To find out more, visit the Kenward Trust Street Reach Facebook page here.

For confidential support on an emotional issue, call Samaritans on 116 123 at any time or click here to visit the website.

Ms Bonett said: “Seven years after John’s death, there are still so many people homeless, alone and vulnerable who need our help.”

Following Mr Chadwick’s death, Ms Bonett successfully campaigned to have Maidstone council alter its policy regarding homing people with pets. The John Chadwick Pet Policy was named after him.

It has even been referred to as “an exemplar” in Parliament.