A woman who has been giving blankets and pillows to the homeless said she will continue despite negative feedback.

Lakeisha Burt, from Warwick, launched a project to help the needy after seeing her godmother with items she did not need about a month ago.

But she said it initially brought negative comments from the public.

Ms Burt, a nursing assistant, said: “Someone said, ‘Why are you giving such a nice blanket to someone on the street?’

“I was wondering if I was doing something wrong.”

She urged the public not to be judgmental when considering why people live on the streets.

She added: “People should be more compassionate. It could get worse for a lot of people.”

Ms Burt has now partnered with Volt Vision of Life Together Ministries for the project.

“It was too much for one person to do,” she said.

An average 65 to 70 people use the Salvation Army shelter every night, while the numbers accessing its street-feeding programme have increased to about 25 to 35 per night.

Homeless campaigners say the Salvation Army shelter is no longer fit for use and have urged the Government to press ahead with plans to create a modern emergency accommodation.

Ms Burt said her desire to help the homeless became stronger after the recent deaths of homeless men Reginald “Sonny” Furbert, 70, and 56-year-old Wilburt Spencer.

Mr Furbert was often seen in the City of Hamilton while Mr Spencer had been living rough in trees on Corkscrew Hill in Devonshire. Ms Burt said: “That gave me an extra push. I felt that there was something that needs to be done.”

She said it was then that she reached out for help through social media. “It got such a big reaction,” she said.

She said many people promised to help, but many did not keep their promises.

“It was not a great number of people who showed up, but we are thankful for those who did,” Ms Burt added.

The drive to collect and distribute items will take place during the first and last week of each month.

The team collects donations at Albuoy’s Point on Mondays and Tuesday between noon and 2pm. They are distributed to the needy at 6pm.

Ms Burt added: “I think we need help to distribute them to people.”

She said she intended to speak to the Salvation Army to find out how best she could reach those in need.

She said family and friends had been supportive of the initiative.

“My aunt told me it’s a good idea because it is changing people’s lives,” Ms Burt added.

“It brings happiness to help someone else. This could be me [on the streets]. It’s a humble feeling.

“I have faith in this because it’s a good thing. I think when it comes to people that are desperate, you become compassionate.”