A GENEROUS businessman who has faced homelessness is working alongside fellow firms to provide free food for the area's most vulnerable people this winter.

Kevin Harrison, who owns the Scran Van, is teaming up with Lee Cameron of Junk Hunters Inverclyde to offer a warm meal to those who can't otherwise afford it.

The pair will be offering cooked dinners free of charge from the Scran Van every Monday between 4.30 and 7pm at the East India Harbour in Greenock.

Glasgow Times:

Kevin, who has previously stayed in the Inverclyde Centre and says he still has no fixed address, told The Greenock Telegraph his own experiences of an unstable living situation made him want to help others out.

He said:"I want to give back to the public during these hard times.

"There have been points where I basically had nothing myself.

"Both of us are just trying to use our small businesses to give back to the community.

"I've been homeless myself and I came from care, I'm actually couch surfing at the moment but having this business has helped me a lot.

"I've not had a fixed place to live for about eight years.

"I'll be here to help out for as long as the van is open. The Inverclyde Centre has helped me a lot and I have a roof over my head, even if it not my own. I don't see myself as homeless, so I want to do my bit."

Having struggled for money and work at times, Kevin says he understands how much it can mean to have someone offer an olive branch.

He added: "I know that things like this help out a lot when you've got nothing, there's nobody you can turn to or talk to.

"This idea started because I was asked to help feed the homeless out of town, which got me thinking about how I could help people here.

"There aren't many people in this town who sleep rough like Glasgow, but there are a lot of people in need.

"People in Inverclyde can be ashamed to ask for help, but they can contact me privately and I'll help them if they need it.

"I thought I'd lost everything but it's come full circle and now I have my business. I've been in the Inverclyde Centre myself and it's a difficult place to be, so I appreciate everything I have now."

In addition to offering the Monday meals, the kind-hearted pair are planning to open between 3pm and 6pm on Christmas day to provide a festive feed for those who are alone or vulnerable.

Lee, pictured, who runs Junk Hunters Inverclyde, said he was happy to work with Kevin on the project.

He said: "When Kevin told me what he was doing, I was keen to help out.

"I've chipped in for the ingredients and I used to cook myself years ago so I offered to make some of the meals.

"It's good to give a bit back.

"It's a struggle for everybody right now and that's why it's important to do things like this."