My struggles just made me want to help other people

'Proud Scouser' Ryan's shoebox mission

- By EVELINA BLACK

A LIVERPOOL man has turned the struggles he’s faced in his own life into a mission to help disadvantaged and homeless people in Merseyside.

Ryan Batt from Kirkdale, has collected items and campaigned on behalf of the Shoebox Full of Love Appeal for the past four years.

Ryan, 42, who has a learning disability and is supported by the charity Person Shaped Support (PSS), said 2025 has been his most successful year to date. Facilitated by the team at PSS as part of their Making Days service, he wrote and performed his own poem to encourage donations.

The Shoebox Full of Love appeal aims to help vulnerable men, women and children across Merseyside by collecting bags or shoeboxes filled with life's essentials. Ryan has collected 43 different bags for children, women and men alongside three bags of clothing.

Ryan told the ECHO: “I’m a proud Scouser and I want to help as many people across Merseyside as possible. I know what it’s like to have nothing. I've had struggles in my own life. Sometimes life can be cruel, which is why everyone should help everyone.