Muslim charity to give out more than 20,000 coats to homeless people over winter

More than 300,000 people in Britain - one in 200 - are officially recorded as homeless

A homeless man begs for small change on the streets of Manchester (AFP)

A British charity is aiming to collect 21,000 coats in a bid to keep rough sleepers living in the UK warm during the cold winter months.

Human Appeal, a Muslim faith-based charity, will donate the clothing to homeless people living on the streets of Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow as part of their Wrap Up Campaign.

Coats will also be donated to rough sleepers in London via the organisation Hands On London, who launched the annual Wrap Up campaigns, starting in London.

The organisation has now partnered with Human Appeal, which also provides coats to charities who help the elderly in crisis, children in poverty and refugees, to launch similar campaigns in other UK cities.

More than 300,000 people in Britain - one in every 200 - are officially recorded as homeless or living in inadequate homes, according to recent figures by the charity Shelter.

Freezing winter temperatures, as well as wind, rain and snow, leave those with nowhere warm to stay in a life-threatening situation, at risk of exposure and hypothermia.

“The winter months can be unforgiving for those sleeping rough or unable to afford a winter coat,” says Othman Moqbel, Human Appeal’s chief executive.

The charity is planning to collect more than 20,000 coats across four cities (Human Appeal)

“We, in Human Appeal, want to not only offer a hand to those in desperate need of humanitarian aid, but to wrap an arm around those in desperate need of warmth.

“We aim to help people in need all across the world regardless of their race, religion, gender or location.”

Coats are being collected at several Safestore Self Storage sites across London until Friday 24 November: Chiswick, Clapham, Notting Hill and Kings Cross.

Manchester Safestore collection points can be found in Old Trafford, Worsley, Altrincham, Stockport Bryant and Oldham.

People can also donate coats at the Birmingham South and Glasgow Southside Safestore sites.