A team of youngsters are appealing for donations in an effort to help homeless people.

The 12-strong team are all volunteers in the National Citizen Service scheme - and have launched their own idea, The Backpack Initiative, to collect items for rough sleepers around Medway.

They aim to put together 35 backpacks full of warm clothes and food, to be delivered to a local homeless charity, and are asking for people to help them out with donations - whether it’s 50p or £100, a pair of socks or a jumper.

Volunteer Jamie Payne explained the 16-17-year-olds are from schools around Medway, and that the team went on an outward bound trip before returning to launch The Backpack Initiative.

“It brings people together and you make new friends.” he said. “It’s been going really well. "We went to Wales in the first week to bond and last week we went to Liberty Quays at the University to get some understanding of what it’s like to live on your own.

“Now we’re just looking to make a little bit of change in the community within the next two weeks.”

The group also plans to arrange a sponsored walk and a quiz night to help boost their appeal.

To find out more visit the The Backpack Initiative on Facebook.