TWO Newport businesses are working together this winter to help the homeless in the city.

Tony Borg, of St Joseph’s Boxing Club, in George Street, has been working with Mark Fredrickson – who runs mobile eatery Little Steak Hut, in Spytty Retail Park.

Together, they have been collecting donations of warm items of clothing and handing them out to the homeless people in Newport.

Mr Borg said they would be going to a homeless shelter in the Pill area of the city yesterday to find out more about the work they do.

He said: “We have been doing collections of warm clothes, including hats, scarves, gloves and blankets.

“Lee Selby has been involved too – he has been using his name to raise the profile of what we have been doing. It has snowballed since then.”

Mr Borg said they have been going round the city centre handing the items out to homeless people, especially as in the last few weeks it has been so cold, or taking them to charities such as The Wallich.

“It is about making people aware of the situation – and that a small donation, like a blanket, can make a massive difference,” he added. “It could happen to any of us.”

Mark Fredrickson said they took 20 bags full of new, warm clothing to the shelter, run by charity Solas, yesterday [SUN].

Mr Fredrickson, from the Ringland area of Newport, said: “They all have been donations from members of the public.

“When we go to the hostel, they will be giving us a presentation about the work they do. We will also be meeting 25 homeless people.”

Mr Fredrickson said his friend Alex Bale would also be cooking a chicken and vegetable stew to take them.

He said: “Little Steak Hut and St Joseph’s are going to be working with the charity all year round, using our businesses as drop off points for items.

“Newport has had a big increase in the number of homeless people in the last few months and I think it is important that businesses get involved and help the less fortunate.”

The 40-year-old – who has been doing fundraisers for different charities for the past 12 years – said he has provided two homeless feeds. The last one was a couple of months ago, when he prepared 40 beef burgers, he added.