A BOURNEMOUTH social investment project is spearheading a campaign to boost the town's homeless HealthBus – starting off with a live music event and silent auction.

Bourne Awesome is looking to support the HealthBus, which was launched in 2016 to offer healthcare for those sleeping rough in Bournemouth.

The service has seen more than 200 patients each year – despite funding constraints meaning it is able to hold just one weekly surgery.

Dr Maggie Kirk of Providence Surgery, who launched the HealthBus service, said: “Homelessness is increasingly prevalent in Bournemouth, more so now than ever before with a 300 per cent increase in rough sleepers over the past eight years.

“For many of the people using the service, it has been their first contact with healthcare in months, years and sometimes even decades.”

Bourne Awesome is social investment project run by Bourne Asset Management, which operates a host of serviced office and accommodation buildings in Bournemouth.

Chief executive Richard Davies said: “It’s incredible to think that many people sleeping rough in Bournemouth have had no access to healthcare for so long.

“The HealthBus offers an amazing service – but more funding is needed so it can help even more people in desperate need of healthcare.”

To kick-start the fundraising effort, the HealthBus and Bourne Awesome are holding a special event on Thursday, January 30, at St Stephen’s Church Hall in St Stephen’s Way from 6pm to 9pm.

The evening will feature live music and a silent auction aimed at raising £2,000 for the HealthBus – a figure that will pay for 65 more people to see a HealthBus doctor.

Businesses able to help with prizes for the silent auction should email Vicki Vinton on v.vinton@platinumpropertypartners.net.

Tickets to the fundraising event are free. To register you interest, visit eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-health-bus-launch-tickets-86682759467.