South Shore's Big Ryan Smith ready to help with his soup kitchen

Ryan, 34, of Highfield Road, South Shore, is setting up a weekly soup kitchen for the homeless, ensuring they can get a decent hot meal at least one day a week.

It is the latest of many efforts from Ryan, who has just finished a 25-day squat challenge to raise awareness of mental health issues.

Ryan is committed to helping others but he's had to overcome his own issues, including the recurrence of skin cancer on his face, for which he will need another operation, and ongoing diabetes.

But the sports fan is carrying on regardless and looking forward to the start of the soup kitchen.

It will be launched at Mags Beach Cafe on Lytham Road, on Wednesday August 26 from 6pm onwards, and will be held on subsequent Wednesday evenings after that.

Ryan, born and bred in Blackpool and a supporter of the Seasiders, says: "When you feel low, if you go out and help other people and cheer them up, it makes you feel better too.

"If some guy tells you he hasn't eaten for two days and you get him something to eat, you can't put a value on that, it really does make you feel better that you've helped someone.

"I wanted to help the homeless and there are plenty out there.

"So I set up my own sort of soup kitchen with help from Mags Beach Cafe. I hope it makes a difference."

Recently Ryan revealed on his Facebook page that his cancer had returned and there was a huge response from well wishers who know Ryan and the things he does for the local community

But he doesn't dwell on his health issues, saying: "It 's come back, so I'll have an operation to remove it."

Apart from the soup kitchen, he is also planning a charity football match in the near future.

Earlier this year Ryan raised more than £1,500 from two charity bike rides undertaken with pals, which ended up helping four good causes, including support for the family of Matthew Savage-Grattan, a Blackpool toddler with a rare cancer, and Lee Howick, a father-of-two from North Shore with stage four cancer.

In April Ryan delivered almost 200 bottles of water to the intensive care unit at Blackpool Victoria Hospital and he then provided takeaway meals for staff

Last Christmas, Ryan helped organise the presentation of toys and gifts to poorly youngsters at Brian House hospice.

Ryan has sometimes involved big-name sports stars in his projects and recently was congratulated in his efforts by Paul Gascoigne.

Spencer Brown, who runs Gold Star Promotions and recently brought boxing ace Floyd 'Money' Mayweather to Blackpool, has often helped Ryan with signed sports merchandise and says: "He's always got something on the go and I love helping him in any way I can."

At Mags Beach Cafe, Sylvia Parkes, 30, who will be helping to cook up a roast dinner for the soup kitchen next week, said: "I've known Ryan years and he's a good lad.

"There's always someone worse off than yourself in this life and Ryan just goes out and helps people who need it.

"When he came to us with his soup kitchen idea we didn't hesitate."