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Big Coat (and shoes) Day - 2 January 2016

Big Coat (and shoes) Day - 2 January 2016FC United is holding its annual Big Coat Day to help alleviate hardship for the homeless at its home fixture against Bradford Park Avenue on Saturday 2 January 2016.

Last year the impact of the cold winter months on the North West took someone’s life every half hour. In our region, 6,000 excess deaths occurred as fuel poverty, homelessness and destitution took hold. This season the club is once more organising collections of warm winter clothing at its New Year fixture on 2 January 2016.

We also want footwear. Lifeshare is one of our charity partners involved in distributing supporters’ contributions this year. The non-religious, non-political charity, registered in 1989, has two sites in Manchester. Support officer, Samantha Johnson, explains: “One site supports homeless adults at the weekend and our Crisis Assessment Referral and Diversity Service supports young people aged 16-25 who are deemed at risk of exploitation and homelessness. We give food, toiletry and clothes parcels to meet, with dignity, the needs of the vulnerable.

“In the cold, wet winter season our rough sleepers are often exposed to the elements, damp and chill. They rely on donations. Many are on their feet with limited access to showers and shelter which damages their health and can be numb and painful. We promote GP registration and have a podiatrist to care for and protect their feet, including toes, nails and skin, to prevent infections and gangrene. Having good grips prevents slips trips and falls which could lead to broken limbs and wounds. Having a warm coat can help clients with HIV and avoid respiratory conditions, hypothermia, pneumonia, frostbite.???

This year we are asking fans and the public to support our Big Coat (+shoes) Day and bring reasonable quality clothing AND footwear, preferably bagged up, to Broadhurst Park between 12.30pm and 3pm on Saturday 2 January 2016. Volunteers from five charities helping the homeless and destitute will be on hand on the Broadhurst Park forecourt to load donations into vans for distribution to those in need.

Two supermarkets have already agreed to set up on-site collection points. Fans organising collections of warm winter clothing in their workplaces can also help save lives. If you can offer assistance in any way, please contact office@fc-utd.uk
Andy Walsh, FC United general manager said: “Big Coat Day may have started in 2005 as a bit of fun to show we had reached our first Xmas, and it still is fun. But it is also an important statement showing that our supporters continue to care for all our community.???

Who Are the Organisations Involved in Big Coat Day 2016?

All the organisations are local to Manchester and Salford and work with the homeless and vulnerable.

- Lifeshare is a voluntary organisation with a major youth focus.
- Cornerstone is a Hulme-based day centre serving up meals for 200 people daily. It has IT and rest rooms plus an onsite clothes and footwear distribution service where a small donation is sometimes requested on the basis of ability to pay and need.
- Barnabus work with 600 homeless and vulnerable people each week, many of whom have severe addictions or mental health issues.
- St Pauls, close to Salford Shopping Centre, offers meals, emergency shelter and fresh clothing for over 100 people a week.
- Salford Loaves and Fishes operate Windsor Drop-In Centre and particularly seeks donations of scarves, gloves and woolly hats.




First Posted ~ 20:44 Tue 1 Dec 2015
News ID ~ 6549
Last Updated ~ 16:00 Fri 19 Feb 2021