Fri, 12 Dec 2025

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 How unwanted coats are changing lives this winter

Some 20,000 unwanted coats will be collected, distributed and gifted to those in need.
WrapUp London, a charity that collects and distributes unwanted coats, aims to provide warmth for all 8 million Londoners this winter. This year's collection has gathered around 20,000 coats, which will be donated to homeless charities, women's refuges, family centres, schools, and other organizations serving vulnerable populations. The initiative was met with skepticism 16 years ago when it first started in 2011, as people were hesitant to part with high-value items like coats. However, the first collection of 2,700 garments exceeded expectations, and today WrapUp London is one of the largest volunteering events in the capital. At a community event in East Acton, volunteers from Family Champions welcomed visitors to browse, try on, and take home a coat for free. The donated coats were collected at over 80 locations across London, including schools, train stations, and fire stations, before being catalogued and distributed to the events. According to Jon Meech, chief executive of HandsOn London, which runs the campaign, "We like to think of it [a coat] as a gift... The reason we distribute through other charities is that they're more in touch on the ground." The community event also offered access to various services, including health checks, benefits advice, and social care support. Volunteers reported seeing people's self-esteem boosted by receiving a coat and having their basic needs addressed. WrapUp London has inspired similar initiatives across the UK (134 locations) and internationally, with thousands of volunteers participating each year to bring warmth and comfort to those in need.
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