A rapper who has appeared with top artists is launching an appeal to help the less fortunate this Christmas.
Eugene Bruce has supported Professor Green/Tinchy Stryder and Example in the past. But this Christmas he is taking taking time out to concentrate on something quite different.
Eugene, from Church Street, Gawber, explained: "I got thinking about how unfortunate some people are at Christmas and I want to give people who don't have much of anything a little hope.
"There are many appeals helping children and third world countries but I wanted to look a little closer to home.
"I have decided to start an appeal for people to take a shoebox and fill it with small gifts, wrap it up and take it to a drop off zone located throughout Barnsley.
"We will then distribute the packages to the homeless and less fortunate people within Barnsley. Hopefully we will have a good enough response to spill these packages into the rest of South Yorkshire."
Eugene says he was once homeless and so understands the plight of those who have fallen on hard times and who have no warmth, love or care at Christmas.
"This subject is very close to my heart, I know what it's like to have nothing," he said.
"Obviously my life has turned around and I want to give others the hope to do the same. We live in a sometimes cold and selfish world. It would be nice if everyone could perform an act of kindness and support this appeal."
Barnsley-based promotions company Propeller Industries is sponsoring the appeal and acting as one of the drop off points for shoeboxes.
Boxes should contain items such as warm gloves, hats, scarves, sweets and chocolates, food vouchers and toiletries. They can be dropped off at Propeller Industries at 51 Cropton Road, Barnsley; La Rouge at 106 Rotherham Road or The Hair Revolution at 1 School Street, Barnsley.
