CAMPAIGNER Rachel Tucker’s fight to end homelessness took a big step forward after a group she set up won charitable status.

The 40-year-old from Toothill started handing out warm clothes to homeless people in Swindon last year, inspired by her own son James’s struggle with homelessness and addiction.

With daughter Gemma and friends, Rachel launched the Facebook group Swindon Homeless Helping Hands in November. The group had a lightning-rod response, attracting 2,500 people within two weeks and going on to reach nearly 6,000 people.

Members then organised nightly trips to feed and clothe homeless people in the town, feeding around 18 people each night, giving out over 3,000 hot meals since starting.

Now Swindon Footprints, which is taking over and expanding the work of Helping Hands, has been launched to coincide with the founder’s son James Tucker’s 29th birthday.

“It means so much to me that I’m launching the charity to honour my son on his birthday,” said Rachel. “He’s on the streets, through no fault of his or my making and that’s why this is so important to me. I live through my son’s eyes. Every day, I feel the pain that he feels, I see the things he sees, even though I’m not there at that moment in time. I feel it. I want to be the eyes of the homeless and to speak on their behalf.”

The charity status will mean Footprints can take on paid members of staff and will open opportunities for fundraising and support, taking it a step closer to its aim of ending homelessness in Swindon. The first move for the charity will be to raise £5,000 to apply for an official charity number from the charity commission.

“We’re just about to house our third person,” said Rachel. “She’s just had a job interview. She’s got a part-time job and she started yesterday. It’s only going to be a couple of hours to start, with a view to moving into a full-time employment. We’re trying to house her partner at the same time, so that could be number four.”

In January, the group’s second project Tent, Home and Beyond housed its first client, 38-year-old ex-Honda employee Karl Alexander.

Donations to the group successfully raised £1,200 to pay for the first two months’ rent at a flat in Cheney Manor.

Swindon Footprints can be found through its Facebook page online and will have an official launch later in the year. It aims to help the homeless through assistance, advocacy, and information, as well as prevent homeless people from being socially excluded.