Homeless charity campaign in full swing

A seasonal homeless charity operation that started in the Hérault in 2005 and now operates in 70 towns and cities across France is gearing up for its 13th campaign.

Sakado's premise is simple. People fill a backpack with useful items for homeless people living rough in their hometown, take it to their nearest Sakado collection point, and the organisation hands them out in the run-up to Christmas.

The organisation hopes to distribute 10,000 filled backpacks this year.

The Sakado idea was born the small town of Clapiers, not far from Montpellier. It now operates across France, in such places as Béziers, Bordeaux, Dijon, Grenoble, Le Havre, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Marseille, Nîmes, Pau, Rennes, Toulon and Toulouse.

Backpacks can contain a 'festive goodies' such as chestnuts, chocolates, non-alcoholic drinks to bring a little Christmas cheer; books, stamps, a map of the city, notebooks; toothbrushes, toothpaste, shower gel, hairbrush; warm clothes, socks, and blankets.

More details, including the organisation's specific requirements for donations - and to find your nearest drop off point - can be found at sakado.org

Since the creation of the association, 35,000 homeless people throughout France have received one of the special bags, thanks to the Red Cross, the ADMR (Association du service à domicile) and the Scouts.