GENEROUS people of Cirencester have rallied round the Big Yellow Bus Project, ensuring that enough money has been raised to make sure rough sleepers have a place to go overnight, as temperatures drop.

With the cold weather biting, it has become more important than ever for rough sleepers that the Big Yellow Bus in Cirencester remain open all hours, and the decision has been taken to pay for night-time cover.

Gerry Watkins, who spent nearly two years converting the double decker bus into a haven for rough sleepers in Cirencester, was struggling to get people to volunteer to cover night-time shifts, from 11pm-7am.

He was faced with the possibility of not being able to open through the evening, despite plummeting temperatures.

As part of an urgent appeal for help, money has been flooding into the Big Yellow Bus Project fundraising page on Facebook, with£1,875 donated.

Gerry has now raised enough money to pay for several weeks of cover.

“Things have turned around quickly thanks to the generosity and kindness of the local community and worldwide,” he told the Standard. “We had four people sleeping on the bus last night. It is doing the job it was intended to do particularly in this cold weather.”

Gerry has found a company that will provide cover throughout the evening at a reduced cost.

One supporter has donated £340, which will cover one week’s night-time cover.

“The fundraising is ongoing,” he stressed. “And we still need as many volunteers as possible to help out in the daytime.”

To donate the Big Yellow Bus fundraising appeal visit facebook.com/donate/1724492120987924/

For more information about the project visit Facebook page Big Yellow Bus Project