This Manchester charity needs spare coats for a very good cause

Nearly all of us have an old coat we don’t use.

Last year, in partnership with high profile supporters like Andy Burnham, the Manchester-based charity Human Appeal collected and distributed over 75,000 spare coats across the country.

Now, for the fifth year, the charity will be running its annual ‘Wrap Up’ campaign, collecting coats to donate to the homeless, refugees, people fleeing domestic violence, and other vulnerable people.

This year, despite many of their usual partners being unable to help because of pandemic restrictions, Human Appeal has been able to partner with Safestore. 

The charity is asking people to drop off a coat at their local Safestore on their way to the shop or while they are out exercising, and is also ensuring that the campaign is fully COVID-compliant by providing containers for contactless drop-off and quarantining coats for 72 hours before they are passed on.

Human Appeal is a humanitarian relief charity, established in a flat in Manchester in 1991 and now active in 25 countries. 

They carry out emergency relief campaigns in response to man-made and natural disasters, as well as long-term sustainable development projects designed to lift people out of poverty and create resilient communities.

“We knew that Wrap Up would be much more of a challenge to organize this year, but that’s nothing compared to the challenges people across the UK are facing because of the pandemic,” said Human Appeal’s Abid Shah.

“With economic uncertainty and a second wave during winter, the need for Wrap Up has never been greater and Human Appeal stands ready to help as always.

“That old coat you never wear, that’s been hanging in the same spot for months, could be someone’s lifeline this winter.

“Pop down to your local drop-off point and make a difference.”

How to donate

The campaign this year will run from 9th – 22nd November, and people will be able to drop off a coat in Greater Manchester between 8am-6pm Mon-Sat and 10am-4pm Sun at the below:

Safestore Stockport Bryant – Bryant House, 61-63 Wellington Road North, Stockport, SK4 1HS

Safestore Manchester Old Trafford – City Park, 34 Brindley Road, Old Trafford, M16 9HQ

Safestore Manchester Central – 202-208 Cheetham Hill Road, Cheetham Hill, M8 8LW 

Safestore Altrincham – 1-2 Atlantic Street, Altrincham, WA14 5FA

Safestore Oldham – 189 Manchester Road, Oldham, OL8 4PS

Safestore Worsley – 1-2 Hazelhurst Road, Worsley, M28 2SQ