FESTIVE lights which have brightened an Oxford housing estate for almost ten years will not sparkle this year.

Each winter Pete Bonney and wife Carol made Nuffield Road glisten, illuminating their home with Christmas decorations in aid of the city’s rough sleepers.

But even though the couple, who were once homeless themselves, decided not to light up their house this year, they are continuing to collect donations for homeless charity Two Saints.

Generous neighbours noticed the lights were not on this year, but have still stepped forward to keep up the Bonneys’ annual tradition of giving to the homeless at Christmas.

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Mr Bonney, 75, said: “We are old. It was getting too much. We help people that need help. I would rather help someone than hinder someone. It’s just my nature.”

The couple, who have been together for 51 years, first began spreading the festive cheer in 2004 with a twinkling display outside their Wood Farm home.

Each year they have called on families to donate tinned food, blankets, sleeping bags, footwear and clothing to the city’s homeless residents.

Mr Bonney said he has no idea how many donations they have taken on since they started collecting, such is the genoristy of their neighbourhood.

And this weekend the couple will deliver this year’s donated gifts to Two Saints’ hostel Lucy Faithfull House, in Speedwell Street.

Grandfather-of-eight and great grandfather-of-five Mr Bonney said: “I have always helped people, that’s life isn’t it? We help people all the time.

“Someone has got to help them and me and Carol like helping people. So that was our project and we have never stopped since.”

Mr Bonney said the couple were inspired to help Oxford’s homeless after living on the streets for nine months more than 40 years ago.

He added: “I have needed help before and never got it when I needed it so I think I should give it to someone else.

“No matter who they are, we help them. We just do it because we like doing it. What will happen when we stop, that’s what we worry about.”

The 75-year-old former shop owner said council tenants have been hit hard this year after the introduction of the so-called bedroom tax.

He added: “We are getting more rough sleepers now. This is the worst year because so many people are becoming homeless because of the bedroom tax.

“It’s terrible, it’s heart-breaking. It’s a very big problem. People are coming to Oxford from different places and they think they can get on the housing list but they can’t and so they become homeless.

“Something has got to be done about this. It’s not getting any better. It’s not just Oxford, it’s all over England, Scotland and Wales.”

Mr Bonney said he and his 65-year-old wife often take to the streets armed with a flask of tea to visit the city’s homeless residents.

And he said the couple know when rough sleepers need their help the most as they have given many people their phone number, and are often called when people are at their most desperate and need help.

They are now urging residents to donate items before they visit Lucy Faithfull House at the weekend.

To get involved, visit Mr and Mrs Bonney at 24 Nuffield Road, Wood Farm, Headington, OX3 8RE.

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