Thanks to supporters, we’ve already been able to purchase 60 of the 75 warm coats needed by the children and young people we’ve identified. Last week, I joined my colleague delivering some of the warm clothing — and I was lucky enough to see the difference it’s making.

It was freezing outside. My colleague had even managed to source gloves — a small touch that meant a lot on a day that cold. Many of the children were at school, but I was able to meet mums and young women staying at the centre. A few moments in particular have stayed with me.
When one young woman tried on a warm jacket, she held it up and told:

“The cold is very hard for us… this is amazing. I got this jacket and gloves for the first time.”

She had come to the UK alone, by boat, after escaping oppression in Eritrea. She didn’t want to say much more — and she didn’t need to. Some stories sit heavy behind the silence.

What she did tell me was this:

“Here I’m hoping for good. We have food here, we have sleep. This is very kind.”

Another mum, who had escaped gang violence in Albania, chose warm clothes for her young daughter. She described her as a bright, energetic girl who loves school.
I can imagine her excitement of showing her daughter her new coat.  She won’t have to walk home cold again.

“She will be so happy. Thank you.”

A young woman spoke about building a new life here with her younger sister. Her confidence, warmth and humour were a reminder of how much hope people carry, even after long, difficult journeys to safety.

These small moments - a coat, a warm jumper, gloves - may not seem like much.
But they mean a child can walk to school without freezing.
A mother can worry a little less.
A young woman can feel more hopeful about the future because she knows there are people who care.

We still need to reach the remaining 15 children and young people who don’t yet have a warm coat.

If you can, please help keep someone safe and warm this winter.

Donate to keep a child warm this winter →

Thanks to everyone that has donated to keep children warm this winter.