MUSLIMS in York have raised £600 to help people who are homeless.

Mebs Surve, president of York Mosque, said the money had bought 20 winter survival kits to be given to people who were sleeping rough so they could survive the cold winter weather.

He said the rucksacks contained items such as sleeping bags, hats, scarves and gloves.

The kits were presented by Muslims from the mosque to Sarah Pirie, a support worker at the Salvation Army, which will ensure they are distributed to those in need.

Mebs said the money was raised during two collections held on successive Fridays at the mosque in Bull Lane.

He said members of the mosque were keen to help people in the community who were in need, and the fundraising came a year after they helped with the city’s aid efforts after severe flooding in the city.