A FIVE-YEAR-OLD boy has written a heartfelt plea to 11 of Bradford biggest stores begging them to help the homeless this winter.

Daniel Swift saw the plight of people sheltering beneath the arches beside Forster Square station while on a shopping trip with his mother Zoe and later persuaded her to buy some food, drinks and even a duvet for the group.

Mrs Swift, 38, a former care worker, of Hirst Wood Crescent, Shipley, said: "Daniel asked why the men were there and why they had blankets and bags with them.

"I explained to him that they were homeless and what that meant.

"He said nothing more about it, until we were eating our lunch, when he asked me what the men would be eating for their lunch and how they would cook it.

"I explained to him that they didn’t have anywhere to cook food, and probably ate what strangers gave them or that they could get from begging. He thought for a few minutes, and then asked me if we could buy them some food.

"He selected a bottles of pop, some biscuits, crisps and chocolate, because he thought they perhaps didn’t have much opportunity to have such treats.

"They thanked us a lot and one asked if we would we consider buying them a blanket or duvet as they were so very cold at night.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Saltaire Primary School pupil Daniel Swift, five, with the letter he wrote to shops asking them to help homeless people

Daniel​ Swift

"Daniel kept asking me if we could buy the men a warm blanket, telling me that we had a warm house and beds to sleep in and these men didn’t. Daniel chose a double duvet, which we then took to the men. Again they thanked us a lot.

"He asked me what else we could do, then suggested we write to ‘all the big shops because they have lots of spare money, we only have a little bit of money and we bought the men things’."

Mrs Swift said her son had always been very sensitive to other people's needs, perhaps something linked to his ten-year-old sister Jessica's epilepsy.

"He has seen her have a seizure and is very aware of such things, but he is also a happy and relaxed little boy. I'm so proud of him."

Daniel and his sister attend Saltaire Primary School where head teacher Sally Stoker added her praise.

"We are going to give him one of our special community contribution awards. He is always thinking out other people and children."

Paul Coles, 28, one of the homeless men helped by Daniel, said: "It meant a lot and shows that people care, it can be terrifying living on the streets.

"I want to send massive thanks to Daniel and his mum and I wish more people were like them and helped us out.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Saltaire Primary School pupil Daniel Swift, five, with the letter he wrote to shops asking them to help homeless people is pictured with his mother Zoe and sister Jessica

Saltaire Primary School pupil Daniel Swift, five, with the letter and his mother, Zoe, and sister, Jessica

"Everyone has different reasons for being on the streets and some people assume always our fault we are on the streets, but we all have different backgrounds and reasons why we are here so to be treated like normal people is always nice."