New Record Reached in 2023 Coat Drive

For the tenth consecutive year, Chestertons has been collecting warm winter coats and jackets for London’s most vulnerable, in partnership with Calling London.

Following the four-week coat drive which ended on the 20th November, staff members volunteered to spend three days cleaning, categorising and counting the donations and we’re thrilled to announce that a new record has been hit – over 10,000 donations have been raised, 6,000 of which have come from Chestertons!

Every year, Chestertons turns each of its high street branches into donation points and works with local communities in order to raise as much awareness and collect as many coats as possible. Since teaming up with Calling London in 2013, we’ve helped to keep over 40,000 vulnerable Londoners warm through winter, including the homeless, families facing financial difficulties and refugees.

This year, our branches had to work particularly hard to secure donations as the cost of living crisis resulted in many people not buying new coats and therefore not wanting to part with their old ones. The success of this year’s coat drive wouldn’t have been possible without our generous friends and associates, including local schools and business who hosted collections and encouraged donations amongst parents and employees.

The donations are now being distributed to over 30 charities and shelters across the capital, including St Mungo’s, Crisis at Christmas, Help our Homeless, Dressed for Success, Suited & Booted, Hestia and several food banks. This year, a southeast London school had sent a special request to Calling London; some of their students’ families are facing financial difficulties and cannot afford warm winter clothes. Their appeal for over 70 coats was met, with a variety of sizes and styles sent to keep those children warm this winter.