A FACEBOOK group which has come to the aid of thousands of people across St Helens and beyond have been praised after helping a young woman who had not eaten in two days.

The Changing Lives on Ur Doorstep Cloud St Helens Group was set up five years ago by dad-of-six Mark Smith from Whiston, who was frustrated at the lack of support and immediate help for people in the community.

Since then, and with the help of dedicated admins, he has set up a further 53 community groups across the country stretching to Fife in Scotland.

The group, which do not ask for money and is run entirely by volunteers for members of the community, helps families and people in desperate need of help from no food to feed their children or paying for gas and electric.

Earlier this month the Star reported that a 20-year-old woman from Gillars Green, received help from the group after she was without money due to a confusion with a universal credit payment.

After asking for support more than a hundred people got in touch with offers of help, and within 20 minutes she had a hot meal delivered to her home and a week's worth of shopping.

Mark, 41, who works for Britannia Taxi’s, said: “I was a single dad at 17 and I was too proud to ask my amazing family for help, and I had that as an option but many others don’t and that’s what I wanted to try and fix.

“I realised the need for it and set up a Liverpool group initially which had thousands involved, then I set up a St Helens group which helped loads of people.

“I’m glad we could help this young girl, but her story isn’t a rare one.

“There has been times when I’ve dropped off food and seen malnourished babies and mothers trying their best with nothing to provide for their families.

“We get messages from victims of domestic violence who need help, it’s just about trying to help others and people want to do that and often volunteer their own food and shopping up.

“If people can help, most will.

“I’ve always thought that as a community we should help each other, people will always have a period of time that they need help but they don’t always have anyone to ask for it.

“We never ask for money and the people in St Helens who are part of the group decide what they themselves want to give to each person’s case, it’s the communities themselves that do this to help their own.

“I’m proud to be involved and so grateful for amazing admins like Linda from Fife, Toni from Garswood and Linda from Scotland who help keep things going to help so many people that need support.

“If anyone needs help, don’t put it off just get in touch and if we can help you we will.”

People also put items up on the page for people who may them such as bedding, clothes and furniture.

n For more information on the group go to bit.ly/changinglivessthelens