AN APPEAL for unwanted coats which will be donated to the needy this winter is drawing to a close.

Specsavers in High Street, Newport, has collected 150 coats so far for the Forgiven Family Church's Warm Coats from Warm Hearts appeal.

This is the first time that such an initiative has taken place in the Newport area. It has been driven forward by Paul Halliday, who is minister at the Forgiven Family Church and also works as an optical assistant at the local Specsavers store.

Since the beginning of April, the store has been a drop-off point for anyone wishing to donate any unwanted winter coats, which will then offered later in the year to low income families and to those who are homeless.

Collection organisers are now issuing a last call for anyone within the local community who has an old coat that they no longer use or need, to call into the local Specsavers and donate them before the end of June.

Mr Halliday said: ‘We have been overwhelmed by the level of support from the local community so far. We have managed to collect over 150 coats and we desperately need more before the end of June.

“I know that I speak on behalf of everyone at the Forgiven Family Church when I thank the local Specsavers store and all other businesses in the area who have acted as a drop off point for the coats over the last few months.”

Store director, Jason Williams, said: “We are delighted to have been able to get involved with such a great initiative. I think we often forget those within our community who are less fortunate than ourselves.”