Airport staff donate clothes to homeless charity

The recent cold snap brought into sharp focus the plight of rough sleepers in our towns and cities.

Many churches, charities and community groups across the region opened their doors to give those who sleep on the streets respite from the dangerously low temperatures.

Staff at East Midlands Airport (EMA) teamed up with Nottingham-based homeless charity, The Friary, to collect items of clothing and bedding for those who have very few possessions. Items donated by the airport included:

• insulated salopettes

• thermal long underwear

• waterproofs

• gloves

• jackets

• footwear

• jumpers

• T-shirts

• Coats

• a tent

• sleeping bags

• camp bed and foam sleeping mats

Despite the warmer weather, The Friary welcomes donations of useful and practical items all year round.

Helen Jones, The Friary's Marketing and Communications Officer, said: “We’re delighted to have received the donations from East Midlands Airport staff. We welcome items of clothing and other essentials all year round and contributions can make a massive difference to someone’s life chances, whether they’re rough sleeping or living in poverty.”

Heidi Barlow, EMA’s Head of Marketing, said: “We’ve had a particularly cold winter and The Beast from the East caused disruption across the whole region and even at the airport. What it must be like to sleep rough in such conditions is unimaginable. I’m grateful to all staff who gave generously and hopefully many people less fortunate than ourselves will benefit from the collection we were able to pull together at the last minute.”

The Friary, based in Nottingham, empowers homeless and vulnerable adults to rebuild their lives by offering practical services, advice and emotional support. To find out what’s urgently needed please visit their website www.the-friary.org.uk