Big Coat Day helps five charities assist the homeless + video

Once again, FC United supporters and members of the public responded excellently to our 2 January 2016 Big Coat Day appeal for winter clothing to help the homeless by bringing along a colossal six to seven tonnes of donations.

Chris Hulse, a senior manager of JobCentreplus offices in North Manchester, has been a great stalwart of Big Coat Day, volunteering every year to assist at the event and arrange clothes collections at her offices and other public places. Responding to this year’s collection on the Broadhurst Park forecourt before the Bradford Park Avenue match, Chris said: “It was a marvellous response, even bigger than last year and it was good to see the five charities all working together with the club.???

The five charities turned up with a dozen volunteers and helpers and took away with them three van loads and three carloads of good quality winter wear and footwear to be distributed for the homeless and destitute. In a grim reminder of the importance of the day, two of the volunteers were from Co-op Funeral Services and hotfooted from an unusually busy morning delivering bodies to the mortuary.

View ITV Granada’s coverage of the day here.

This year the charities asked us to add an appeal for footwear, and, true to form, supporters responded.
St Paul’s organiser, David Wyatt, commented: “The response from FC United was magnificent. Quite a number of homeless people will have a new spring in their step with 40 excellent pairs of shoes which we received along with a huge amount of warm clothing. Many thanks for this most successful initiative and best wishes for the season.???

Sam Johnson from Lifeshare, which organises projects with young homeless, expressed her delight: “Thank you very much to everyone who kindly donated essential warm clothing and footwear for homeless people. We are grateful for the generosity of the supporters. Our volunteers will sort and distribute the clothes and shoes at weekends to individuals and families in need in Manchester for the winter.???

Lifeshare volunteers, Mick and John, chipped in: “The club were very welcoming and the fans very generous and staff and volunteers were very helpful, particularly Lawrence Gill who brought us tea!???

The charities were especially pleased with the donation of knitwear made by FC supporters, the Knitters & Natterers and just to add a bit of cheer on a cold winter’s day, we invited them to stay and watch the game and enjoy the unique FC matchday experience.

Thanks to all those supporters and members of the public who donated, and a special thanks to Chris Hulse and FC United member, Lawrence Gill, who together organised the collection and distribution.

The organisations involved in Big Coat Day all 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 & Fishes operate Windsor Drop-In Centre and particularly seeks donations of scarves, gloves and woolly hats.