New charity is set to help homeless people

A NEW charity that will 'help the hundreds of people sleeping rough' on Liverpool's streets was set to launch in a former Royal British Legion club on VE Day.

- BY MEGAN BANNER

Kind-hearted Scouser Paul Melia, from Formby, is well-known for helping homeless people across Merseyside.

In fact, it was only five years ago that the Advertiser reported how the 48-year-old had given Anthony Kirby, 36 at the time, who was living on the streets in Skelmersdale, a job and somewhere to live.

Fast forward to 2025, and the businessman has begun taking over struggling social clubs at the heart of communities to stop them from shutting down for good.

In his most recent business venture, Paul saved the former Royal British Legion club in Litherland and refurbished it.

And, the L21 Club in Litherland, set to open on the 80th anniversary of VE Day, will also be the home to a new charity, focused on helping homeless people and homeless veterans across the city. Paul said: “I took over the Royal British Legion because it closed down and was going under. I wanted to keep it going to keep it alive because we have members who rely on the club; it's the heart of a community for some people.