Couple offers shelter and hope to 2,000 young men

Back in 1980, Ann and Terry Panks turned their home in Manchester, England, into a refuge for young homeless men. The couple's home, called Copperdale, is a former police station which they enlarged to offer ten bedrooms to residents. An empty church is home to a gym, music studio, IT suite and meeting hall, and has become a focal point of the community. Most of their guests come through the probation service or care homes.

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By 2012, the couple had offered shelter and hope to 1,000 young men. Since then, that number has doubled. Ann and Terry are now in their 80s and show no sign of slowing down. They still enjoy helping residents apply for college or for jobs, but Terry says "more importantly, we spend a lot of time just talking with the lads about their lives." Recently they were surprised by a party where more than 60 former residents who are now successful adults thanked them for their generosity. "One of the best things was hearing from one of our former residents, Brian, who got in touch after seeing us on telly," said Ann. "He was an imp with us, but rang to say he's started his own IT business and would help with our computers anytime."