THE daughter of Leslie Belcher who died three years ago after becoming homeless in Oxford is urging people to help the less fortunate this Christmas.

Sian Belcher Hawley will be handing out presents – which she would have given to her dad – to the homeless as part of a new campaign.

A Gift to Remember was set up by Miss Belcher Hawley, from Wantage, to deal with the loss of both her parents leading up to what will be her six-month-old daugther Isla’s first Christmas.

Miss Belcher Hawley will also donate in memory of her mum Fiona Hawley who died from anorexia seven years ago.

The 28-year-old said: “Christmas can be a hard time if you have lost someone you love. It is a time that brings back lots of memories and brings out lots of emotion – especially when you are out buying presents and you see something that would have been perfect for them.

“This campaign gives you the opportunity to still do that, the chance to remember them while helping others at the same time.”

The campaign hopes to encourage people to donate presents on Sunday in memory of loved ones they can no longer give to.

Miss Belcher Hawley said her dad’s experience “opened her up to the homeless situation in Oxford”.

Mr Belcher died aged 51 at the Lucy Faithfull Centre, a homeless shelter. His funeral was attended by more than 200 people.

He was a plasterer by trade before becoming homeless, but once on the streets got into difficulties with drink and drugs.

She said: “I remember I tried to get my dad to come over for Christmas but he wouldn’t, so I visited him here [Oxford Homeless Pathway O’Hanlon House]. I came here to bring him his Christmas presents.

“I could never help my parents as much as I tried.

“My dad was my best friend and such a character. I would have loved to see him playing with my daughter six-month-old Isla.

“This is something I can set up to help others deal with their emotions and I see it as free bereavement therapy.

“It’s a bit of a release to get these gifts and then help people that maybe do not get as much of our time in society as they should.”

Miss Belcher Hawley visited the shelter at Oxford Homeless Pathways to hand over the presents she had spotted for her dad.

She said: “I bought thick socks – because my dad always had cold feet – and a woolly hat. He loved Sherbet Dib Dabs – it was his favourite, so I got them – and he also loved a Curly Wurly.

“Then he was always playing card games, so I got him charades.

“My mum was so creative and before she got ill she was absolutely stunning.

“For her, I might get the latest craze of adult colouring books and I might let Isla do a few scribbles. Then a bunch of carnations as they were her favourite. I will either give them to someone at Littlemore Mental Health Centre or an old people’s home.”

So far Miss Belcher Hawley has seen support pouring in from around the globe. She also hopes to make a video of the campaign after help was offered from supporter Max Season from France.

She added: “It makes me feel emotional and happy for other people, knowing the release of emotions I felt the first time I did it last year.”

To take part send your gifting pictures to @GiftRemember or facebook.com/A-Gift-to-Remember-170656513267869/timeline