A HOMELESS campaigner has protested in the city to mark the third anniversary of a rough sleeper who was found partially mummified in his tent.

The ‘peaceful’ protest was in memory of 74-year-old, Cardon Banfield, who was found dead by a cricket club steward after he was told about a smell coming from a tent near Worcestershire County Cricket Club in July 2016.

The demonstration was led by Hugo Sugg, from Worcester, who also set up the campaign Justice For Cardon following his death.

Mr Sugg said: “The goal of this peaceful protest is to raise awareness of homelessness. We want to get people talking and make them feel uncomfortable because they haven’t acted on showing their support. That’s why we are here, to get people to notice the work that we do. I have been encouraging people to talk to us and ask for advice on how to help.”

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The cause of Mr Banfield's death is unknown. His body was so badly decomposed that he could only be identified from his DNA.

Mr Sugg added: “I knew Cardon when I worked at the YMCA in Worcester. He was so badly mummified that they had to identify him from three different body parts. No one seems to have acted since then.

“We need a better Outreach service. The fact that these people are being found dead by members of the public just show there’s no support available.”

Mr Sugg added that a better Outreach approach should be provided to rough sleepers for them to be signposted to a service.

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Emilia Brown, who used to a rough sleeper, has joined the campaign with Mr Sugg.

She said: “Homelessness effects so many people you don’t realise. So many people are out there begging for support.

“The resources are so stretched. It’s not just about addiction or personal issues people have in life. Anyone can be one pay check away from being homeless. We want to make people more aware. These people are not going to be forgotten. We are not going to rest until there’s enough support to prevent rough sleepers from dying.

“We have had a lot of people stop to read the names and ask questions. It’s great that it’s grabbing people’s attention.”

The protest, which was held outside the Guildhall and Maggs Day Centre in Deansway, took place yesterday (Friday, July 5).