The weather is feeling decidedly autumnal already, and with the clocks going back, our evenings are darker for longer. Winter will soon be here and so, too, will sub-zero temperatures.
The cost of living crisis has left many people unable to afford to heat their homes, and so this year, for many, a warm winter coat won’t just be needed going outside - it might be needed to keep someone warm in their own home. Homeless people are even more at risk of experiencing unbearable levels of cold this winter and a winter coat would ease this suffering considerably.
HandsOn London recognised back in 2011 that winter coats were an unaffordable luxury for lots of people across London and they set about coordinating donations of winter coats to be given to charities that could pass them directly to the people who need them the most.
Now, with the help of the Rotary Club and the Human Appeal charity, WrapUp UK carries out this annual collection and distribution across many cities in the UK and in 2022 we’re glad to help out for the 11th year in a row.
WrapUp UK’s Roots
When it began in 2011, WrapUp London aimed to collect and distribute donated winter coats so that those in need could wrap up and keep warm during the cold, wet winter months. The campaign was a huge success, and swiftly expanded across the UK with donation points being set up in several key cities.
The Rotary Club and Human Appeal charity became involved, and now WrapUp UK is in its 11th successive year, having successfully collected and distributed nearly 200,000 coats over that time.
We’ve been supporting WrapUp throughout that time, by providing storage units where donated coats can be dropped off and stored until they can be distributed.
Who gets the coats?
HandsOn London works with over 100 charities across the UK. The charities support a range of vulnerable people, all of whom will benefit directly from the donation of winter coats. The recipients of the coats might be adults and children fleeing domestic violence, homeless people, refugees, elderly people and vulnerable people in crisis.
How to help WrapUp UK
If you have a thick winter coat that you no longer use or want, please consider donating it to WrapUp UK at any of their donation points (see below). Thick, warm coats are preferred but we will also gratefully receive thinner, waterproof coats that can be layered up. Sadly, WrapUp UK, the Rotary Club and Human Appeal are unable to accept donations of other winter wear or sleeping bags as they don’t have the capacity to distribute those.
When you’ve gathered up any coats you’d like to donate (adult and children sizes are all very welcome!), please take them to your nearest drop-off donation point, below.
We’re very proud to offer donation points at several of our stores across the country, and we store the coats for WrapUp UK until they can be distributed to the various charities they support. WrapUp UK then distributes the coats amongst the charities to meet the needs of as many people as possible across the country.
WrapUp UK donation locations and dates
You are welcome to drop your coats off to us anytime during our normal trading hours which are as follows:
Monday 7th November - Monday 28th November inclusive*,
8am - 6pm Mondays to Fridays
8am - 8pm Thursdays
10am - 4pm Sundays
*Check the exact dates for your closest location below, as some will accept donations in October 2022.
We’re pleased to provide donation points at 20 of our London stores for WrapUp UK (7th to 28th November):
We’re also thrilled to provide donation points for Human Appeal, 7th to 21st November at our stores in:
- Manchester:
- Altrincham
- Manchester Central
- Old Trafford
- Oldham
- Stockport Bryant
- Birmingham:
- Birmingham Central
- Birmingham Middleway
- Glasgow:
- Glasgow Southside
- Glasgow Central
- Leicester:
- Bristol:
- Bristol Pennywell Road
- Bristol Ashton Gate
Last but not least, we’re delighted to provide donation points for Rotary Club volunteers to collect your winter coats at our stores in:
All of our stores are conveniently located close to major rail and/or road networks and most have parking available on site so it’ll be easy for you to pop in and drop off your winter coat donations.
If you’d like some help finding your closest store, please call and ask one of our friendly team who can point you to the best place: 0800 444 800.