A COUPLE from Wimborne are calling for more to be done to help the homeless and vulnerable this Christmas.

Reg and Eleanor Dunningham's pleas were sparked by the circumstances surrounding their own son who is currently based at Bournemouth.

Their son, who the Daily Echo has decided not to identify, is restricted by law from visiting his parents' home.

Reg and Eleanor, 84 and 82 respectively, are also unable to take him in due to their own health issues.

Though they're not able to care for him themselves they still love him, they say, and want nothing more than to know he – and others in his situation – are with other people this Christmas.

"We're just worried about how he's going to spend this Christmas," Eleanor said. "Because of the restriction we can't ask him over. We love him dearly.

"He's just lost his way like a lot of people you see in those circumstances around Bournemouth.

"Something's happened to them and it's just turned them to drink," she added. "It's an illness and unfortunately it's a thing that isn't on a priority list, for helping alcoholics.

"Unless they can accept it there's not a lot people can do for them.

"There are a lot of others who shouldn't be in that position."

The Dunninghams, who have been married for 64 years, also had another son Matthew, who died 11 years ago from leukaemia.

"But we can't dwell on it," Eleanor added "We have got to look at the future, and help people like [our son]."

The couple reached out after reading about a number of events in the Daily Echo that are going on in Bournemouth set up to help people this Christmas.

Seventa Events are donating one food item for every one ordered from their Christmas menu at the Print Room from December 11-20, to a number of hostels and charities across the town, including Hope for Food and Michael House at Boscombe.

The AOK Rucksack appeal, launched by Sally Harvey, is also distributing rucksacks to people living on the streets at Christmas time, and has longer-term projects aimed at helping homeless people back into society.

Reg added: "We would like to feel that there would be somewhere he could go for meals and comfort over Christmas. Knowing this would give us both joy that he was having somewhere to go and being looked after."