Three brothers from Sidmouth saved up their busking money to buy a homeless woman a new puppy after her dog was killed in a hit-and-run.

Daniel, Buddy and Pacey Shephard stepped in to help Bex Grass after her "best friend" Poppy had to be put down after being hit by a car in December.

The youngsters first met Bex and her dog when she visited the Sidmouth Folk Festival in 2022.

Later, after hearing about what happened to her dog, they secretly arranged to buy her a new puppy.

The boys had already started using their musical talents to fundraise because Pacey needed a new piano.

Daniel and Buddy pooled money they were saving to upgrade their guitars, with money Pacey had saved to further his education and hopefully get his own piano compositions released, to buy Bex a new puppy.

They looked online with their dad for a border collie similar to the one Bex had lost and found a litter for sale at a farm in Honiton.

Bex is also from Sidmouth but now lives in a BCHA house in Exeter and sells The Big Issue.

She said: "When I first met the boys I was blown away by their music. You could tell they were amazing, super talented and very kind-hearted. But I never realised how much until my dog died.

"The car never even stopped and she was so badly injured, she had to be put down.

"I've never felt such grief. Poppy was my protector and had been with me when I was at my lowest points. I went into a deep depression when I lost her.

"I can't thank these wonderful boys enough for bringing a new puppy into my life. When I heard what they had done I just felt completely overwhelmed.

"I have called her Rainbow and she is absolutely perfect! I am selling The Big Issue and hope we will move into our own place eventually. I am just so grateful."

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