A new mobile soup kitchen has been launched in Bradford to provide hot food and drinks to dozens of homeless and needy people across the city.

The InTouch Foundation, a non-profit organisation run by community volunteers in the district, served food outside City Hall during its first night in operation on New Year’s Eve – and will return every Monday between 7pm and 11pm.

Bradford-born Osman Gondal, founder of the group, came up with the idea of running a soup kitchen in November after a conversation with friends about how homeless people were able to survive in the bitter winter weather.

“We were going to the mosque in the morning in the cold and we were talking about how homeless people could live on the streets in that sort of weather.

“We got talking about how we could make a difference in Bradford.”

The organisation was given a trailer, which it renovated after raising £3,000 by selling advertising to businesses across the city.

It also contacted restaurants and takeaways about supplying food, with Mahmood’s takeaway in Bradford offering to donate food for its first night.

Mr Gondal, of Allerton, said: “The response has been very positive. Everyone we’ve spoken to loves the idea.

“We are taking the trailer into the heart of Bradford so homeless people don’t have to find us.

“Without all the help we’ve received we wouldn’t have been able to get to the stage we’re at now.

“We wanted to open it on New Year’s Eve because it’s a night where there were a lot of people out in Bradford, pubbing and clubbing, and we could raise awareness.”

The group has already raised funding for 100 sleeping bags, which will be donated to people in Bradford.

During the next phase of its project, it hopes to open foodbanks at mosques across the city.

For more information about the project, to take a donation, or volunteer, contact Mr Gondal on 07865 994953 or visit intouchfoundation.co.uk.