BRADFORD Cyrenians is raising funds to keep rough sleepers off Bradford streets and transform their lives.

The charity has so far made £1,000 selling wristbands and ribbons to support its Re-Start Project which gives a roof over the heads of ten men in the city.

Since the project, backed by Bradford Council, started in 2009 it has helped 75 men in all, said Ean Monk, of the Cyrenians, which has been in Bradford for 40 years and also runs a hostel in Manningham Lane.

Men on Re-start get intensive support for 12 months from charity workers who make sure they can manage their budgets, that they get a doctor and deal with any health issues so that they are ready to go on and lead more independent lives when they leave the project - the flats they live in are run by Accent Housing and Yorkshire Housing.

"All the men we help at re-start have been previous rough sleepers - sleeping in the streets, living in tents, gathering at the backs of shops to keep out of the rain and snow and avoid being moved on - one of our men had been sleeping in the stairwell of high-rise flats.

Mr Monk said: "Our success rate has been great over the years and we want that to continue. When you've come to us with absolutely nothing, a roof over your head is fantastic.

"One of our recent clients has turned his life round completely from being a prolific offender to signing up for a college course after Christmas."

Wristbands and ribbons are being sold at City Hall, Jacobs Well council offices and at Yorkshire Housing offices as well as at a number of businesses in Manningham until January 31.