A GROUP of quarry workers swapped their Christmas night out for an afternoon helping the homeless.

The men from Ramsbottom based MA Crushing and Screening asked their boss if instead of a party they could use the money to buy food and sleeping bags for people in need.

Managing director Mark Aspin explained: “At this time of year we usually have a fun Christmas event for the team and we had been planning to go go-karting in Manchester, but when the boys told me they would rather help the appeal I was overwhelmed with their offer of kindness.

“We matched their funding and purchased over £500 worth of supplies. We are proud to have been able to help this local charity and in a small way helping highlight the efforts that have been made by this group over many years.”

The group wanted to respond to Christ church Baptist- Methodist and neighbourhood centre’s charity appeal, to help the homeless over the Christmas period.

So they bought over £500 worth of supplies and then delivered them to the church.

Darren Tomkinson, foreman at the company, said: “It feels good to help people who need it. Look at people like us we have everything and look at people like them they don’t have anything.

“To do something like this is not just a big achievement for me and for our company but also for the people who it is for.”

Steve Bailey from Porch Boxes food bank charity said that the donations were critical.

He added: “This is vital. I used to think it was free food who can’t be bothered but I have seen these are working people, made redundant who can’t put food on the table.

“These are lads who have got families of their own who have given up their bonuses and their time to come down and help these people.”