A NEWPORT charity has launched its annual coat drop-off campaign with a strong start.

Feed Newport CIC launched the month-long campaign at Morrisons in Rogerstone this morning, Monday, November 1, with two boxes in the supermarket for people to donate old coats to go to those who need them.

The launch happened at 10am with one of the two boxes already full of donated coats.

“We put the boxes out at 6.30am and the store opened at 7am and we already have one box filled,” said Morrison’s community champion Rachel Meredith.

It is the fourth year that the Wrap Up Newport campaign has been run by Feed Newport CIC.

“It began in London and they went out to Tube stations and Tariq [Khan, founder of Feed Newport CIC] brought it to Newport. We were the first city in Wales to do this four years ago,” said Gem Walker, manager at Feed Newport CIC.

“Last year, we had 980 coats even though it was a tough year for us. This year we chose Rogerstone Morrisons as they have been amazing, and we could not have got through Covid without them with the grab bags they do."

All of the coats are donated to the homeless, refugees, the elderly through Age Concern, Women’s Aid and anybody who needs them.

South Wales Argus: Ruth Jones, MP for Newport West donating coats to Feed Newport CIC's Wrap Up Newport campaignRuth Jones, MP for Newport West donating coats to Feed Newport CIC's Wrap Up Newport campaign

At the launch today was Ms Walker and Ms Meredith along with Feed Newport CIC volunteers Chris and Anne and Newport West MP Ruth Jones – who donated several coats.

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Mrs Jones said: “It is fantastic to be here today to be part of the launch and to meet Gem and her team again and to see the fantastic work they are doing to keep the people of Newport warm.”

South Wales Argus:

Both of the boxes were then filled up before the end of the launch – with members of the public donating bags of coats.

You can donate coats of any size – both adults and children, male and female – at Wrap Up Newport donation points in Morrisons in Rogerstone, at Feed Newport CIC’s headquarters and at various points across Gwent including Tiny Rebel in Newport city centre and TLC Café in Ty Sign.

A number of schools are also taking part. You can donate coats at any point until November 30.