With temperatures dropping rapidly and winter well on its way, warm clothes are starting to make an appearance.

You may be pulling out some of your old favourites or hitting the shops to get a completely new winter wardrobe.

Either way, as you do this, spare a thought for those who do not have this option.

Over the winter months, people of all ages across Teesside will find themselves in need of warmth.

In the hope of helping as many of these people as possible, a major, annual appeal for donations of winter warmers was launched on Monday.

Wrap Up Middlesbrough – led by Middlesbrough Council and partner organisations – is a drive to get staff and members of the public to donate winter coats, jumpers and fleeces to be given out to homeless people, in housing need and/or suffering hardship.

These clothes will then be given out at the annual festive event In Out of the Cold, held in the Town Hall Crypt from 1pm to 3pm on Tuesday, December 23.

Councillor Brenda Thompson, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive member for supporting communities, said:

“I’m delighted to see so many organisations joining forces once again to support such a worthwhile cause.

“It speaks volumes about the community spirit in the town that people are willing to do their bit to bring warmth to some of the most vulnerable members of our community.

“Many of us will have spare coats, jumpers, fleeces and other warming items of clothing that we no longer wear and I know these will make a real difference to the lives of those most in need.”

Donations can be made from today until Thursday, December 18 and items should be in a good, clean condition.

Locations for donations are as follows: Teesside University Students Union, Information Desk and The Link, first floor Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm;

Teesside University School of Health and Social Care, Centuria Building South, opposite the lifts, Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm;

Middlesbrough Cycle Centre, Middlesbrough Bus Station Monday to Friday, 8am-5.30pm and Saturday 9am-4.30pm;

Vancouver House, Corporation Road/Gurney Street, Monday to Friday, 9am-4pm;

Civic Centre, Centre Square, Monday to Friday, 9am-4pm.

Source –  Middlesbrough Evening Gazette, 26 Nov 2014