HAIRDRESSING salon The Chop Shop in Church Street is no stranger to helping the homeless.

Donna Sayce Allen and Cara Worgan have been helping one man who was homeless in the Monmouth area and blind due to cataracts, and have now found him permanent housing in Usk.

Now they are turning their attention to fundraising for a night shelter that The Priory, adjacent to St Mary’s Church, intends to set up during the winter months of December and January. The idea is to provide somewhere to rest for anyone that finds themselves temporarily homeless during the worst months of the year.

The Chop Shop’s Donna, Lel Goodway from Extons in Church Street and PCSO ‘Joe’ Facchiano will be joined by Allen, (right) who has been helped by the team and is in temporary accommodation in Chepstow ahead of his move to Usk, on a sponsored walk along the River Wye to Symond’s Yat. It is hoped that the walk will raise the profile, and some funding, for the Priory shelter.

Donna explained: “We have been to many meetings with the council housing and others to help Allen along the way to get him into sheltered housing, and now we’ve helped him through the process of bidding on properties through Monmouthshire housing daily to find him a more permanent place to call home.

“Finally at 62 years old after living rough for many years, he has a place to call home,” she added.

“Allen just wants to help others as he’s had us along the way and wants to help others by raising money for this night shelter.”

They will be leaving the Shire Hall at 9.30am on 24th June and anyone is welcome to join them. If you want to sponsor them, pop into the Chop Shop on Church Street or if you see Allen on Monnow Street, he will have sponsor forms himself.