Homeless charity appeals for cash

Homeless patients say the health centre is essential

A charity has appealed for an extra £300,000 to look after sick homeless people.

The Luther Street Medical Centre in Oxford says it urgently needs the money to expand its services, which include drug rehabilitation.

Staff from the centre are to unveil their new fundraising campaign on Friday at Oxford Town Hall.

The charity currently employs four GPs and eight nurses but may be forced to cut back if money runs out.

It has helped me along the way an awful lot

Homeless patient

Martin Vincent, the centre's chief executive, said: "Oxford has hostels brimming with homeless people.

"There are a tremendous number of people in bed and breakfasts and often the hidden homeless are what we call sofa surfers staying on friends' floors.

" They have no place they can call their own.

"They are often damaged, very chaotic people with a range of complex needs."

One homeless person who has been a patient at the centre said: "It does meet the needs of homeless people really well. This place is essential.

"They get to know you on a first-name basis. It has helped me along the way an awful lot."