A charity is collecting coats for homeless people in Manchester.
Homelessness in Manchester City Centre has dramatically increased over the past five years. According to Greater Together Manchester, 5,564 people across Greater Manchester are homeless and either living on the streets or in temporary accommodation. And these figures do not include people who are termed the ‘hidden homeless’; people who are staying with friends or family, or who are ‘sofa surfing’.
When presented with such horrifying figures anyone would want to help. But where do you start with such a large-scale problem? This Christmas Human Appeal, a British Muslim faith-based NGO, has announced a campaign that will see the charity attempt to collect 3,000 unwanted coats to give to homeless people in Manchester.
Wrap Up Manchester will see Human Appeal set up numerous donation points across the city, including Manchester Piccadilly Railway Station and various Safe Store self-storage locations across the city, where the public will be able to drop off unwanted coats from November 12 until November 23.
From there, Human Appeal will sort through the coats before distributing them to homeless shelters and other centres, where people in need will be able to collect the coats from professionals who will also provide advice and services to help beneficiaries.
Samra Said, the UK Domestic Programmes Manager for Human Appeal, commented:
“Charity is a key part of the Muslim faith and there is a great need for charity here at home, in the UK. We at Human Appeal want to not only offer a hand to those in desperate need of humanitarian aid but to wrap an arm around those in desperate need of warmth. We aim to help people in need all across the world regardless of their race or religion or gender or location. Whether it’s someone in need in Mosul or Manchester, Human Appeal aims to help in every humanitarian crisis.
“This is our third year of Wrap Up Manchester and our second year of Wrap Up Birmingham and Wrap Up Glasgow and, every year, the response we have received has been overwhelming. The winter months can be unforgiving for those sleeping rough or unable to afford a winter coat.
“In the harsh winter months, Human Appeal wants to help local communities in Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow to come together to help those most in need. We hope as many as people as possible will warm someone’s body with a coat and warm their heart by letting them know you care.”
Anyone wishing to donate a coat should drop it off at participating SafeStore location, these include: Manchester Central (Cheetham Hill), Old Trafford (Brindley Road), Worsley (Hazelhurst Road), Stockport (Wellington Road North), Altrincham (Atlantic Street) and Oldham (Manchester Road) from November 12-23.
Shahid Kadodia, Digital & Marketing Director Safestore said:
“With so many people homeless on the streets of Manchester, sadly some of the most vulnerable people will not have the luxury of wearing a coat this winter. With this figure only set to rise, we are very passionate about supporting Wrap Up Manchester as they are working so hard to provide comfort and care for those in need. Last year we donated over 1,500 coats to the homeless in Manchester and we hope to donate even more this winter.”
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