I passed Ernie, a refurbished milk float, on my travels today. Ernie is a mobile coffee shop, often in Victoria Park, near the University of Leicester. Ernie is part of a social enterprise run by The Bridge and raises money and awareness about homeless people in Leicester.
Ernie is named after a song by Benny Hill, a popular comedian in the sixties and seventies - "Ernie (the fastest milkman in the west)".
Leicester used to have an Italian ice cream vendor, Eric. Eric's cycle driven ice cream cart has been acquired by the Bridge and Eric and Ernie will be out raising money in public places and community events through the year. (Eric and Ernie are also two well-loved comedians, better known as Morecambe and Wise).
Currently there are over 30 people sleeping rough on the streets of Leicester. Many more are in temporary or unsuitable accommodation.
