Helping Manchester's Homeless

Manchester based quantity surveyor Hugo Newell who works for Carillion has found an innovative way to help some of the city's homeless, using a lunch offer from a mobile phone provider.

Each Monday Hugo, 26, uses cash donated by colleagues at the Embankment project to buy O2's Priority £1 lunch deals with voucher codes from his own phone and those of workmates. So far his "Meal Deal Mondays" initiative has provided more than 100 lunches.

Hugo said: "I live and work in Manchester city centre so often see people living on the streets. When the offer started I thought I can afford to pay for lunch for myself but this could be used to help those who can't.

"I asked colleagues if they would like to be involved by making a small donation and we use the money that is collected each Monday. Once I've bought meals, I simply pass them on to people who are homeless. It's not a big amount but it helps a few. You might give a homeless person a Pound and it's simply a Pound but, this way, on Mondays, it's an entire meal. I just wanted to give something back", he added.

Hugo's initiative has now earned him a "Living our Values" award from Carillion.

"Carillion is committed to helping the communities where we operate, it is one of our core values. We support local charities and organisations across the country. Hugo has spotted a way to use this special offer to help people less fortunate than ourselves and his colleagues have rallied round to help."