Homeless man's trailer torched in Helston, Cornwall days before Christmas

The blaze engulfed the trailer that had been positioned near Penrose, opposite Coronation Park, destroying his clothes, asthma mediation and lifeline mobile phone along with it.

An appeal fund has now been launched to help replace the items lost.

Rev Danny Reed, of Central Methodist Church Helston, has been helping the man in the aftermath and has been able to provide him with clothes, while other people have bought a mobile phone and SIM card so that he can remain in contact with the agencies offering support.

Rev Danny said: " I'm am heartbroken to report that the trailer he was living in was torched and set on fire yesterday. Thank God he wasn't in there sleeping at the time.

The man has lost all his possessions Pictures: Rev Danny Reed

"He has lost everything he was enabled to build up, and now only owns what he stands up in. I'm starting a new campaign to help him get back on his feet again.

"The police are investigating and I can't express how upsetting this is. We've all got problems but to have 'society' kick when you are down is beyond comprehension."

He said the man, who had already been working with Rebuild South West and Central Methodist Church among others, to help build a new life, was left in just the jeans, trainers and puffa jacket he had been wearing.

He had been sleeping in a trailer near Penrose Pictures: Rev Danny Reed

Rev Danny has arranged for the man to stay in Helston's Premier Inn over the next four days, and receive food tomorrow, before the church works to arrange something more permanent.

"The appeal really is to replace everything that he's lost," added Rev Danny.

To donate to the fund you can transfer money via the chapel's bank account, using the reference 'Fire support', account name 'Central Methodist Church Helston, account sort code 40-24-06, account number 60430145.