Joseph Holt Brewery launch homeless clothing appeal for Lifeshare and Barnabus charities

The independent family-run Manchester brewery and pub operator is working with two charities – Lifeshare and Barnabus –  to collect as many items as possible for those in need during this cold people.

Joseph Holt, who have 127 pubs located all over Greater Manchester and across the North Wes will act as collection points for donations.

People are welcome to donate items such as sleeping bags, coats, gloves and other warm clothing.

The “Helping the Homeless” appeal launched by the 173-year-old brewery was inspired by two of their pubs, the Fairway Inn in New Moston, and The Red Lion in Prestwich, who had already set up their own collections.

I Love Manchester spoke to the landlady of The Fairway Inn, Val Coyle who explained why she set up the collection.

She said: “It’s fantastic that this is happening across the entire Holt estate as we’ve had the most amazing response.

“Since December we’ve had 60 bags of donations so I`m thrilled so many other pubs will now be following suit.

“A Joseph Holt pub is at the  heart of the community so I know my colleagues will all be so keen to help.”

Val added that donations have come from far and wide, extending beyond those who are regulars at the pub.

She said: “One lady had never even been in before – yet sent us 25 pairs of brand-new gloves.

“We’ve even had people who have come in to the pub to book funeral wakes  in our function room and at the same time bring in the bereaved’s clothes.

“They felt so strongly these items must go to help others.

“I just feel this is such an important time to do this. So many people get new clothes for Christmas and may well be doing a clear out of their older stuff.

“So much of this can go to waste. It`s just important to put it to good use.”

Alex Derbyshire, landlady of the Red Lion in Prestwich agrees that pubs play such an important role in helping those who are less fortunate.

She said: “We already served free tea and coffee to people who were struggling – as a pub we could do that.

“So, extending that to collecting warm items for the homeless seemed such a natural step.”

The Helping the Homeless appeal follows the huge success of the Joseph Holt School Uniform appeal which ran in the summer to help families who were struggling to buy clothing for their children.

To make a donation just drop your items at any Joseph Holt pub. To find your nearest one go to www.joseph-holt.com/