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A group dedicated to helping vulnerable people in Belfast at night need your help to reach their target for a new minibus.

SOS Bus NI are on a mission to add a new minibus to their fleet so they can help more people 'vulnerable and in crisis' on the streets of Belfast.

The team started a crowdfunding campaign to raise £2,500 from the public towards the minibus they estimate will cost £8,000.

Now they are just £500 from their target with less than a week to go.

Alison Steers, office administrator for SOS Bus NI, said: "Basically we need a new minibus so we can help more people.

"At the moment we have a minibus response team who go with the two main buses stationed at Shaftesbury Square and the Odyssey. The minibus reacts to emergencies anywhere, we receive a call and it will go and try to pick up anyone in need and take them to the SOS bus or if they need medical attention or have been abandoned by their friends we can take them home safe or to hospital."

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Alison added the second minibus would mean the volunteers could help more people in Belfast each weekend.

"It is to make sure everyone can get home safe and are not left vulnerable," she said.

Thanking everyone who has donated so far, Alison added: "I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported us so far, it is a brilliant thing to see."

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Started in November 2007, they say that they have engaged with almost 248,000 people on the streets of Belfast.

The SOS buses operate from Shaftesbury Square every Friday and Saturday from 11pm to 3am and from the Odyssey Complex every Saturday from 10.30pm to 11am.

Its mobile response team is based in the city centre every Saturday from 10.30pm until 3am.

In 2014, the organisation said they provided over 9,982 hours of volunteering with 44 young people transported directly by their mini buses to hospital emergency departments.

Donations can be made by logging on to their fundraising page.