Norwich homeless people donated coats at Arts Centre

Norwich City of Sanctuary partnered with Norwich Arts Centre to encourage people to bring their unwanted men's coats to the St Benedicts Street venue on Saturday, November 17, between 10am and 5pm.

The charity, which aims to welcome refugees and asylum seekers to the Fine City as well as those without a home, had been hoping to collect 100 coats as part of its Coats On The Railings campaign. 

But kindhearted strangers smashed the target collecting more than 150 coats as well as 80 woolly hats which were not even asked for.

Claire Wood, chair of Norwich City of Sanctuary, said she was "bowled over" by support for the campaign.

She said: "We were bowled over by the generosity shown on Saturday by the people of Norwich who donated warm winter coats for our appeal.

"The response was phenomenal, we are very grateful and have already distributed them to more than 150 people who really need them in the sub-zero temperatures we've had this winter.

"Emmanuel Church in Bungay also donated 80 hand-knitted woolly hats which were a welcome addition. 

"Thank you to all involved, especially Norwich Arts Centre for their continued support as a Theatre of Sanctuary with us." 

Ms Wood said the cost of living crisis and cold snap meant that coats were crucial for the city's homeless to make it through the winter.

She added: "The cost of living crisis, coupled with the cold weather this winter, means the most vulnerable in Norwich are in real need of warm coats."

Those who were unable to donate their old clothes to the campaign on Saturday will still be able to do so by contacting Norwich City of Sanctuary via its Facebook page.