Donation are coming in thick and fast for a Salford collection this Saturday to back homeless support organisations Emmaus and Coffee4Craig.
As the weather turns colder and wetter it’s ever more important to consider the most unfortunate people in the city.
The team of local volunteers Chelsea Fisher, David Flash, Michelle Couling, Shelly Pamper, Zoe Lyons, Joe Merrishaw and Tanya Swindon are looking for clothing and food donations for the day of giving.
Unfortunately for us, anyway, they’re all rather camera-shy when it comes to self-publicity.
But as the mercury drops and the cold starts to really hit at night, the collection of unwanted hats, trousers, jumpers, socks, jackets, shoes or sleeping bags could really save lives.
Many donations have already come in through the SalfordOnline.com Facebook group, with offers of warm clothes, shoes and even local businesses like The Eccles Cakery are offering a proportion of the profits from cake sales.
It all started in 2014 when the plucky volunteers, inspired by local football team FC United’s Big Coat Day, got together to help collect warm clothing to help the homeless.
Tonnes of donated clothing in over 90 black bin bags made its way to homeless people in Salford and Manchester, thanks to the distribution know-how of Coffee4Craig, who earlier this year set up the first ever free clothing giveaway ‘store’ in Manchester’s Northern Quarter.
Risha Lancaster runs Coffee4Craig, the Salford not-for-profit set up in memory of her rough slepper brother Craig White.
Speaking to SalfordOnline.com she said: “Salford people are well known for how generous they are.
“Unfortunately there’s a massive rise in people we see when the weather gets colder. There’s more people this year than there was last year.
“It’s something that is rising and steadily creeping up and up and up with austerity and government cuts.
“It’s heartbreaking to watch. It’s horrible.”
“I just think Chelsea’s amazing. She’s fantastic. She always supports us. She did a big massive appeal last year.
“This year she’s including Emmaus so half of it will go to us half of it will go to them. And they do phenomenal work as well. She’s just a phenomenal woman.”
The collection event takes place this Saturday 31 October at Emmaus House, 101 Fitzwarren Street in Pendleton, Salford.
All are welcome to attend and anyone who brings a food or clothing donation can expect to receive a free hot drink and a hot dog for their troubles.
