A MUM is teaching her sons about the reality of homelessness by taking them out on the streets to see for themselves.

Leanne Ridgeon, who regularly helps the homeless, wanted to hand out donations at Christmas in Colchester’s town centre.

She lives in Sudbury with her two sons, Oliver, 11, and Luke, seven, and after doing some research she came to realise the number of homeless people in Colchester was high.

She has created a Facebook group with her friend, Jess Irwin, to organise a present distribution day on December 23.

Leanne, 39, is also keen to get her sons involved and show them the challenges facing homeless people.

She said: “Both boys are very much like me, they care for others.

“They are empathetic and are looking forward to doing it, they will be able to see it in real terms.

“They watch videos about all sorts of things but they have never actually experienced it.

“They know how important it is to help others when you can.”

She said she has always been keen to help homeless charities as she understands how people misunderstand the homeless.

She said: “I was researching as I wanted to take the boys out on the ground, I came to realise that homelessness is quite an issue in Colchester.

“Our objective is to go around and talk to the homeless before we do the deliveries as I don’t really know myself how bad it is.”

She added: “I just think it’s a really sad issue, I know how homeless people are judged and I know how easy it is for people to become homeless.

“Christmas is about giving as well and I want my boys to understand that.”

She has already received some donations and cash to buy supplies for the homeless.

To find out more about taking part in the event, visit www.facebook.com/ events/260630167756751 on Facebook.