Collecting coats for the homeless and vulnerable

Commuters, shoppers, students and office workers across the city have been donating used, old and unwanted coats as part of the first Wrap Up Brighton & Hove campaign.

In partnership with charity HandsOn London, the inaugural Wrap Up Brighton & Hove is supported by Rotary Brighton and Hove and backed by American Express. The campaign is a call out to Sussex residents for warm coats, which are being collected by up to 130 American Express colleagues this week ( November 11-13) and distributed to local charities that support vulnerable people including the elderly, homeless, women’s refuge, children and low-income families.

Beverly Sawyers, Vice President at American Express, said: “We’re asking the local community to rally round and get behind the first Wrap Up Brighton & Hove. “It’s fantastic to see how supportive the local community is being already. Receiving a warm coat will make a huge difference to many people in need. There are still two days of Wrap Up Brighton & Hove to go – so we’re calling on people’s continued generosity to take a few minutes out of their commute or shopping day to donate their old, unwanted or used coats.”

Robert Griffiths, spokesperson for Rotary Brighton and Hove, said: “Sadly the number of people living in crisis here in Brighton is rising. We’re hoping to mobilise the power of the community to help those most in need ahead of the weather becoming colder. We’re a big-hearted city and we’re calling on the compassion and generosity of residents to care enough to gift a warm coat.”

Public donation points are situated at locations including Brighton and Hove train stations, churches and community centres across the city. Rotary Brighton and Hove will transport donated coats to a central storage point to be sorted by Amex volunteers. Coats and jackets of all sizes are gratefully received, although men’s heavy-duty weather-resistant coats and young children’s snowsuits are most needed.

Public donations of coats can made on November 12 - 13 at:

Brighton Railway Station concourse - 7am – 11am

Hove Railway Station concourse – 7am – 11am

Age UK, 29-31 Prestonville Road Office, Brighton, BN1 3TJ - 10am - 4pm

St George Church, St George’s Rd, Brighton, BN2 1ED - 9.30am - 2.30pm

St John the Evangelist’s Church, Knoyle Rd, Brighton, BN1 6RB – 9am -11am

Hangleton Community Centre, Harmsworth Crescent, Hove, BN3 8BW – 9am – 9pm

Rushfields Plant Centre, Henfield Road, Poynings, BN45 8AY - 10.00am – 4pm

Latest information on drop off points and opening times can be found at ‘Wrap Up Brighton and Hove’ on Facebook bit.ly/WrapupBH