A HOMELESS shelter is raising money to buy a headstone to mark the grave of a former resident.

Brian Nicholson had lived in a flat belonging to Furness Homeless Support Group for a number of years.

The 79-year-old died on June 11 in hospital and as he had no family Barrow Borough Council is funding the cost of a simple graveside service at Barrow Cemetery today at 10am.

As authority-funded funerals don't include a headstone the homeless shelter want to raise the money to buy the plot and have a headstone installed.

The shelter said in a statement: "Many people in the local area knew Brian. He had a smile and a wave for everyone that passed.

"Brian first arrived at our door in 2014 at the age of 74, and when our ground floor flat became available we told him it was his for life should he want it to be. And he did.

"Brian had led quite a life. Originally from the north east, many locals remembered him from his time managing local cinemas and working in BAE.

"We like to think he spent a great few years while living with us, and he joined in with everything we did. Day trips out, meals out (including his first ever McDonald’s, and lovin' it), volunteering in our charity shop, he was an expert interviewer on our panel when we were recruiting new staff, a maker of amazing roast potatoes, and we shall never forget the sheer joy on his face when we all danced the night away together at our charity night at the Nines.

"He was very well respected by other residents that have been here over the years, and he always had a wise word for them. He was also always impeccably well dressed! We attended a charity dinner with Lake District Farmers and everyone thought he was a rich farmer which he found very amusing!

"We hope to raise funds in order to have a headstone made for Brian and to also purchase the plot (we need to do this in order to have a headstone).

"We hope we made a difference and we hope he felt loved. We shall miss him lots."

Anyone who would like to make a donation can take it to the shelter in Bath Street.