Campaigners have been left devastated after hearing of the death of a woman who had spent time on the streets of Liverpool.
Volunteer teams were told last night of the death of an Irish woman called Winnie, who had spent time on and off the streets of the city centre.
Unconfirmed reports suggest Winnie - in her 50s - had been attacked recently.
But the ECHO understands any attack is not linked to her death, for which there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances.
Winnie was not homeless and did have a home address in Old Swan.
It was here that she was sadly found dead at around 9am on Friday January 24.
While she did have a home, it is understood she spent time on the streets of the city and was well known among the homeless community.
Michelle Langan runs the Papercup Project Charity that organises teams of volunteers who head out around the city centre every Monday and offer food, supplies and support to rough sleepers.
It was on their rounds last night that the team was informed of Winnie's death.
Ms Langan said she had last seen Winnie on Christmas Day.
If you see a rough sleeper in Liverpool in need of help, you can contact the Always Room Inside number of 0300 123 2041
She said: "Last time I saw her was waking her up on Christmas Day in the doorway of Next.
"She was an older lady - very loud and opinionated. All of the homeless knew her - she was a real character.
She said: "The homeless community only found out this week that she had died.
"One of the girls told us she died two weeks ago, the lady said she had been beaten up by a man not long ago.
She added: "It’s so upsetting and frightening for other women on the streets."
Merseyside Police have now confirmed details around Winnie's death.
A spokesman said: "We can confirm that officers attended an address in Old Swan following the sudden death of a woman last Friday, 24 January.
"The woman, who was in her 50s, was sadly found deceased at her home around 9am.
"There are no suspicious circumstances in connection with her death."
