ROCK singer Guy Garvey is backing a major campaign to help tackle homelessness.

The Elbow lead singer, from Prestwich, is joining forces with Manchester Homelessness Partnership to raise awareness of their Big Change initiative.

He said: "Ridiculous stories spring up around homelessness because people can’t actually imagine it so they have to justify it happening.

"People who sleep on the streets aren’t doing it out of choice."

Big Change is a collaboration of 20 charities, groups and businesses working in the Manchester Homeless Partnership and providing grants for individuals.

They pool their resources so they can tailor their care more effectively for each person.

In order to raise awareness Guy narrates a short film that shows how donations to Big Change have made a positive impact.

And he encourages the public to ‘give differently’ by donating small change to the Big Change initiative rather than individuals on the streets.

Guy added: “It’s a really great thing to be part of a city that is going to eradicate homelessness.”

Eleanor Watts from Big Change said: “We need to work together to make a real impact. Each time we walk past a rough sleeper in our city’s doorways, it’s hard not feel bad, so we give a bit of change, even if we know it won’t help them in the long-term.

"We’re asking people to give differently – to donate spare pennies to us – so we can make sure the homeless community of Manchester get the right help to get them off the streets for good.”