The colder days and longer nights are starting to roll in, and whilst we might complain, there are unfortunately plenty of people much more vulnerable than us who will have to endure the bitter winter months on the streets. Thankfully, charity Human Appeal has partnered with Manchester community bookshop and cafe House of Books and Friends to collect unwanted coats from the people of Manchester as part of the Wrap Up campaign, and disperse them amongst those living on the streets to help keep the community that bit warmer.
As the cold and wet weather descends upon Manchester, Wrap Up and House of Books and Friends are calling for you to help support this essential campaign – to collect as many warm coats for people in need as possible. They are collecting thick winter coats that will be redistributed during the harsh cold months, and they ask that the coats are in good condition and clean.
The goal of the collection is to provide warm winter coats to those in need in the local community, with volunteers stationed at Piccadilly Train Station on the 21 and 22 October, between 7am and 11am, to receive donations from commuters. You can also drop coats off at House of Books and Friends during opening hours (9am-6pm) between 21 October – 8 November.
The Wrap Up Manchester initiative, founded by Human Appeal, has been successful in cities across the UK, and since its inception in 2011, the wider Wrap Up campaigns have distributed over 228,000 coats to date.
Laura Jones, Director of House of Books & Friends, said: “House of Books & Friends has been an integral part of bringing the Manchester community together through various events, our pay-it-forward schemes, and by being a welcoming and inclusive space all designed with the mission to tackle loneliness and social isolation.
“It’s the perfect location for a drop-off point, as it not only allows us to collect vital donations but also to share our message of being a community hub. We look forward to continuing our work with Human Appeal’s initiative and building our impact over the coming years.”
House of Books & Friends runs a variety of initiatives to support the local community, hence it’s involvement in Wrap Up. Customers can pay it forward, both for a coffee or a book to give to the less fortunate, as well as an online book club for everyone and anyone to join.
You can drop off coat donations at:
📍House of Books and Friends, 81 King Street, Manchester M2 4AH
🕛 9am-6pm
📆 October 21 – November 8
📍Manchester Piccadilly Station
🕛 7am-11am
📆 October 21 & 22