Helping homeless of Wisbech this Christmas in memory of Spencer Neilly founder of 50 Backpacks charity

A grieving sister has launched an initiative in memory of her brother to help the homeless as Christmas fast approaches.

Imogen Nicholls is launching the Spencer Project in memory of Spencer Neilly who was well-known in Wisbech for his work with helping the town’s homeless people with the 50 Backpacks scheme.

Spencer, 48, an army veteran was one of the founders of 50 Backpacks which at one point was running various schemes including the Grub Hub at the former Bygones cafe in Little Church Street, and the thread shed which provided warm clothing to those on the streets.

Sadly, Spencer finally gave in to his mental health demons and took his own life on Valentine’s Day this year.

Now Imogen is asking people to back her plans to run an annual appeal in Spencer’s name to help the town’s homeless at Christmas.

She said: “I had planned to hand out the backpacks on Valentine’s Day as that was the anniversary of his death. However I have had an overwhelming response within hours of me launching my appeal, so I am thinking it would be nice to do it before Christmas.

“Spencer cared deeply about helping the homeless and worked very hard, committing lots of his time to it. Unfortunately, I don’t have the same time to commit, but I would like to run the Spencer Project once a year – I think it is a good way to honour his memory.”

The mum of two and stepmum of one, is asking people to donate rucksacks, tents, sleeping bags, ponchos, roll mats, bin bags, wind-up torches, toothbrushes, toothpaste, thermos flasks biscuits, cuppa soups, first aid kits, underwear, sanitary products, as well as warm clothing such as thick socks, hats, and scarves.

Imogen, who was Spencer’s youngest sister, he also has another sister Zoe, added: “That is not an exhaustive list, so if people can think of anything else that might help then please feel to donate it.”

Sunlounger Travel in Horsefair Shopping Centre in Wisbech has agreed to be a collection point for the appeal so people can take donations of items along to there.

Imogen said: “I am really grateful to Sunlounger Travel for offering to be a collection point for the appeal hopefully being a central will help people to make their donations more easily.”