A man who was once homeless is now giving back to the charity which helped him off the streets and into safety.

Colin Pilcher says he used to "sleep with one eye open", but is now on the right path thanks to the charity Maidstone Homeless Care.

He is so grateful, that he scrimped his benefits together to donate £100 and help others facing the same trouble he found himself in years earlier.

The 52-year-old first became homeless around 10 years ago.

He said: "I was living with my ex-girlfriend and her partner at the time.

"When she moved up to London, myself, her ex-partner and his half-brother – who has severe learning difficulties – all ended up homeless.

"Ever since then, I have been on and off the streets."

Colin would go from staying on the floor of one car park to another, moving on when he was kicked out.

In his rucksack he would carry a sleeping bag with a spare set of clothes and a mobile phone charger.

He said: "The evenings were the worst. It was bad enough when I was out there, but now it can be really dangerous.

"It’s the people – especially on a Friday or Saturday nights.

"I never really slept, you basically had to sleep with one eye open.

"You wouldn't do your sleeping bag up fully, so if anything did happen you could get out quickly."

Colin eventually ended up at the charity's day centre in Knightrider Street after he was ordered to do so by the courts.

He had previously been arrested for being drunk and disorderly five times in the same month.

"I had drug and alcohol issues," Colin said. "Because I was drinking so much, I kept getting arrested.

"They lumped all of the charges into one and told me to engage with the day centre – I had never heard of it.

"When you walk through the door, it was hard. I had spent so much time on my own.

"They told me ‘yeah, come in’ and I thought ‘woah, hang on a minute, everyone is so friendly’.

"It was a bit scary to begin with, I have to admit, but after about a week or two, I became used to it."

Thanks to the charity, Colin is now living at Goodsell House – a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) for 10 people who receive one-to-one support and eventually move onto independent living.

He said: "I've been there for seven years now, and moved in on December 12.

"When I first came down here I was a complete mess.

"I was nothing like I am now. I’ve just got better and better.

"I’ve made a lot of friends here as well, it's one of the best things I have done to be honest."

For the 21st year, KentOnline is supporting Homeless Care's You Can Help campaign, where the charity raises donations over the Christmas period.

The charity will be collecting food donations, clothes, hygiene items, and gifts for clients.

This year, Homeless Care is also asking for money so it can buy nutritious food at a heavily-discounted price from charity FareShare.

To give a financial donation to the campaign, click here, or to donate items, message manager@homelesscare.org.uk

Colin said: "I donated about two years ago. I got my benefits up and gave the charity £100.

"It means a whole lot to me. I’ve known most of them ever since I’ve been here.

"I haven’t got much in the way of family, but they always have time for you, and are always willing to help."