COFFEE shop owners Andrew and Claire Bowen were stirred into helping the city’s homeless after stumbling across a Facebook phenomenon.

The couple, who run Java & Co shops in Abingdon and Oxford, perked up when they saw how Suspended Coffee – which encourages people to buy a second cup for someone in need – was turning into a global trend on the social networking site.

Mr Bowen, 49, said: “It was just something I came across on Facebook and thought ‘blooming hell’, that’s a good idea.”

Anyone ordering a coffee from their shops in New Inn Hall Street, Oxford, and Market Place, Abingdon, can also pay £1.50 to be donated to homeless shelter The Gatehouse in St Giles.

Mr Bowen said: “It has gone all across the world, so we wanted to bring it to Oxfordshire.

“We are a local coffee shop and we wanted to keep it local and support the homeless in Oxford and make a positive impact.

“We have only just launched and it is already proving pretty popular.

“We really want it to spread all around Oxford too – in coffee shops, bakeries, anywhere – so it becomes the norm in the city.”

Andrew Smith, who works at The Gatehouse, said: “We are delighted, it was really out of the blue.

“It seemed such a simple idea and it is great that all the money raised will stay local in the heart of the city.

“We have an increasing number of people who rely on us, whether it’s for food, warmth or just company.

“It is the message behind it which is important too – about creating community spirit between people.

“Coffee sends a very simple and important message about getting together for a chat.”

Suspended Coffee originated in Italy before becoming a global phenomenon on Facebook.

Shops all over the world in countries including America and New Zealand welcomed the fad.

Suspended Coffee – or caffè sospeso – is said to have originated more than 100 years ago in working-class cafes in Naples, Italy.

When someone experienced good luck they would buy a second coffee to be put aside.

Those in need would then approach cafes to ask if any of the pre-paid coffees were available.

The idea has taken off as an internet fad within the last year.