A WEE COUNTY woman has kick-started a project to deliver winter packs to rough sleepers this December.

Tillicoultry’s Kelly-Marie Hearsum has praised locals who rallied around to help after she decided to create packages with practical items to help those without a roof above their head.

The packs will include something to wear and something to keep warm alongside food and drink as well as toiletries.

A volunteer has also come forward to offer free hair cuts and the team will be targeting the Glasgow area, where homelessness is prevalent, on December 1.

Kelly-Marie, mum-of-two, has for some time been wanting to take part in a sleep out event to raise awareness, but is not able to do so this year as she cares for a young daughter.

She’ll postpone that for a year, but has been keen to do something and the idea clicked one day over breakfast.

Kelly-Marie said: “I started asking friends on Facebook if they would like to part take then the idea got an amazing response.

“I was so speechless to find out my idea reached out to the USA in a matter of a few days.

“People have been amazing and so supportive.”

She has received support from the Strathcarron Hospice shop in Alloa, giving a nod of thanks to Helen Mclachlan and her staff for their generosity.

Kelly-Maire added: “All the staff in the Alloa store are helping out making the packs and her staff have all been getting the word out there.

“Toni Carrol , a mum I know from Alloa, has generously offered to cut hair for the rough sleepers which is an amazing idea.

“Obviously it will be their choice but such a nice gesture. We’ve had so many people asking to help donation towards the packs.”

Each pack will be a little bit different to give them a gift feel – some are pull string bags, others are reusable and cardboard boxes are also being used to deliver them.

Kelly-Marie has set up her The Act Of Kindness_Kelly page on Facebook where anyone looking to involve themselves can get in touch.

She said: “The whole idea of The Act Of Kindness is to encourage the community to work with each other to help each other deliver an act of kindness.

“Seeing the community pull [together] and help out with each event I do is absolutely amazing!

“It makes the place such a better and seeing all those kind hearts out there ... outstanding!”