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Homeless pregnant woman and partner living in tent next to River Medway

00:01, 23 December 2016

This is where an expectant mother of twins will be spending Christmas.

The woman, who is four months pregnant, and her partner are living in a tent next to the River Medway.

The couple, who have been there for six months, have tried to make it as homely as possible, with carpet, teddies and pictures. But being next to the river means they are exposed to the harsh winter weather.

The couple are living in this tent
The couple are living in this tent

Volunteer Neil Charlick said: "They are luckier than some because they do have some protection from the concrete behind them, but they are exposed there on the river.

"They have been there a long time, but they keep themselves to themselves so they don’t get any hassle."

Mr Charlick is part of a group of volunteers who go out every day to help people on the streets, delivering soup, sleeping bags and clothes.

He will be out on Christmas Day with food and hot drinks. He is so worried about one woman who is sleeping rough that he is paying for her to stay in a hotel.

Mr Charlick, who has been homeless himself, said: "We have tried to help her with a tent and other things, but she has gone though some sort of traumatic experience which means she doesn’t feel safe in a tent so she wanders the streets. She is an easy target so I wanted to help her out over Christmas."

Find out how you can help by visiting the Medway Help for Homeless page on Facebook.

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