A CHARITY is urging people in Oxfordshire to follow in the footsteps of its inspirational founder by helping to end homelessness in the UK.

Emmaus Oxford is today (Homeless Sunday) calling on the county’s residents to contact their MP and ask them to back the Homelessness Reduction Bill and attend the debate in Parliament on Friday.

The Emmaus movement was founded by French Catholic priest Abbé Pierre who, in 1954, angered by the deaths of homeless women and children, appealed via radio to the people of France to offer up blankets and warm clothes in what would become known as the Uprising of Kindness.

Eddie Blaze, general manager of Emmaus Oxford, said: “Homelessness numbers are increasing, services set up to help people are closing and the situation is getting desperate for many people in our county.

“Supporting the Homelessness Reduction Bill through your MP is something everyone can do that may make a difference.”

The Homelessness Reduction Bill aims to reform the law to help ensure more people get help before they lose their home.

The bill, if passed, would extend the period of time people likely to become homeless can seek help from their local authority.

It would be the first reform of England’s homelessness legislation in 40 years and, Emmaus claims, could prevent more than 40,000 people from becoming homeless each year.

The Emmaus movement now operates in 37 countries across the world. There are currently 28 Emmaus communities in the UK, supporting more than 750 formerly homeless people to rebuild their lives.

Churches have united together to mark Homeless Sunday for more than 15 years. The day offers Christians the opportunity to pray for those in their own community who are homeless and consider practical action.