People Of Runcorn Donate For The Homeless At Xmas

An entire shop full of donations for the homeless is set to help those most in need over the winter.

The vacant unit at Runcorn Shopping City was packed full of donations by generous people who wanted to help out after the shopping centre launched a campaign dubbed #warmthestreets, reports the Liverpool Echo. Its success means homeless people across Warrington, Widnes and Runcorn are set to take delivery of donations of warm clothes and other items to help them battle cruel winter conditions. The pop-up shop was opened last Monday opposite the Ping Pong Parlour in the centre. It will be open until December 17.

Craig Wilson, 34, marketing and commercialisation manager for Runcorn Shopping Centre, said: “Every year, the centre teams up with Wire FM to come up with campaigns for a worthy cause. Last year, we launched the Christmas Toy Appeal, which campaigned for toys for underprivileged children. But we thought about taking a different stance this time around.”

“We have mainly been collecting coats and jumpers. But we are also collecting sanitary towels, underwear, hats, scarves, and toiletries. People have been bringing in all sorts of things. The shop has been rammed. There has been an awful lot of donations. It has been a huge success.”

Social media has been a driving force for the #WarmTheStreets campaign.

Craig added: “The photos we posted yesterday have gone viral. They have done much better than our previous posts. I think this is because of the success we have had so far. After the 17th, once we are closed, we will take the donations to charities, shelters and the homeless people we see on the streets.”

“Homelessness is at an all-time high. We are doing what we can to help the homeless in our local area. They are still taking donations and hope to do run the same campaign next year because the response has been fantastic.”