Two friends are collecting coats and jackets to help people “at least be warm” this winter.
Jackie Andrews and Anne Sim have set up the Coat Hangar in Elgin Town Hall, allowing anyone who needs a jacket to pick what they need from today.
The friends of 30 years were left “stunned” after a recent trip to a charity shop made them realised how costly coats were.
The pair chatted to the team who run the coat rack at Elgin Community Centre, who are struggling to keep up with demand, and decide to try expanding the idea themselves.
Mrs Andrew, from Elgin, said: “We’d been conscious for a wee while that people are really struggling, and we’d seen Elgin Community Centre has a rack – which they’ve had for a few years now – where people donate coats and people can just go and help themselves and we felt we wanted to expand on that.
“We’re just two friends who thought this is something we can do to help.”
The two Rotarians were given permission to set up the Coat Hangar – a nod to Moray’s RAF connection – at Elgin Town Hall.
People can donate any pre-loved, good-quality, coats and jackets, which will then be made available for people to pick what they need.
‘Something for most people’
Mrs Andrews, who works at UHI, hopes people won’t feel intimidated to go and help themselves.
She said: “It’s a nice big foyer in the Town Hall, so hopefully because there will be community groups using the hall anyway, people won’t feel intimidated to go in and help themselves or feel under any scrutiny.
“We’re hoping to have something for most people, of all shapes and sizes, for adults and children, so hopefully we’ll be able to just support people to at least be warm for winter.”
The friends plan on getting advice from local agencies and partners and are keen to work with community groups to bring the Coat Hangar to other parts of Moray.
Because storage is limited the pair is asking that anyone who wants to donate any coats or jackets should get in touch first to organise a pick-up or drop-off.
Meanwhile, anyone in need of warming winter clothes should feel free to head to Elgin Town Hall on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 10am and 1pm.
Donations can be arranged by emailing coathangar@yahoo.com
Conversation