AN INITIATIVE bringing much-needed winter clothing to those in need has returned to the heart of Reading.
Winter Warmer sees volunteers collecting donations of winter clothing such as coats and hats which are then available to be collected by those who need them.
The pop-up programme is collecting surplus items, including coats, hats, scarves, gloves, and fleeces from a retail unit in Reading train station’s Brunel Arcade.
It comes as a result of a collaboration between Reading Basingstoke Community Rail Partnership, Reading Borough Council’s Community Safety Partnership, Network Rail, and Great Western Railway.
Lucy Lomax, line officer at Reading and Basingstoke Community Rail Partnership, said: “Network Rail has kindly let us use one of the empty units in Reading Station to bring back Winter Warmers.
“It’s a collaboration between Reading Borough Council, Reading’s Economy and Destination Agency, and Safer Streets.
“And it’s for people in need, but also those who believe in recycling and reusing items.”
It follows on from a Winter Warmer event which also took place at the station last year.
“After the demand and success of last year, we had to be here; so many people asked when it was returning.
“And it was more of a well-oiled machine this time– more people are on board, and we’ve already had about 30-40 coats in the first hour or so.”
She explained that it’s more important than ever to help people keep warm, as people continue to face poverty and extremely low temperatures.
“It’s so important to do this, and we’re not unique– but it’s so much easier if people don’t have to seek it out.
“We’re here at the station, which is the perfect location– people can come in, try on the coats, and have a chat, so it’s just like a shop.”
Julie Woodward, programme director at Network Rail, said: “It’s so important for us as we serve the community.
“We are also always trying to be greener, so we do as many things as possible with our local charity partners, schools, and organisations.
“It’s fantastic to be a part of it, and so many people have donated already, and there’s still a few days to go.”
Sarah Gardiner from Reading’s Community Safety Partnership said: “There was massive interest last time, so we had to come back.
“It’s not just giving people warm clothing which they desperately need, but it’s also a communal, free space, which there aren’t many of around at the moment.”
Winter Warmer is collecting donations at the Brunel Arcade in Reading train station between 8.30am-2pm, and 5pm-7pm on Tuesday and Wednesday, January 16-17.
Items will be available to collect from the same space between 10am-5pm on Thursday and Friday, January 18-19.
More information available via: readingbaskginstokecrp.co.uk
