A FAMILY was inspired to help a couple sleeping rough after meeting them in the city.

Mum-of-three Catherine Cox said she spotted a couple sleeping in a shop doorway, in the Tything, while she was taking her three children to school.

Miss Cox, aged 32, said: “Eva, my youngest daughter, said ‘look mummy, they are sleeping. Why are they sleeping by the doors?’

“I haven’t been able to get them out of my mind all week - with the snow coming too it’s not good. I’ve even thought about taking them in my own home, but I have my children to think about.”

After the chance encounter on Monday, Miss Cox's children - Emily, 12, Eva, seven and Edward, five, encouraged their mum to deliver goods to the homeless couple.

She added: “We felt so sad they were sleeping rough, so we decided to get a care package together. I gave them two sleeping bags - which I’ve noticed they’re using as a mattress, two scarves, breakfast sandwiches, snacks and toiletries. These are things a lot of us take for granted.

“They were a lovely couple and were so grateful. We’ve been checking every day to see if they are still there. You rarely see a young couple being homeless - it is such a shame this has happened to them.”

Miss Cox added: “More things need to be done for the homeless. I don’t want them to be moved on unless they’re going to get proper help. There are eight empty shops down the Tything and have been empty for months.

"My eldest daughter and I think they should open one shop for the homeless, just to give them proper shelter and an address.

"It will give them some time to get themselves sorted. They could sign on, save some money, get little jobs and maybe then finally rent a room somewhere.”

She said the family are now moving house and having a sort out so she hopes to be able to take more clothes and food to the couple next weekend.