Charity distributes winter warmers donated by GTR passengers

Streatham-based charity for homeless people, Spires, handed out over 100 pairs of socks to rough sleepers and insecurely-housed people invited to its annual Christmas celebration on Saturday [21 December].

Spires is among six charities helping Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) to distribute the 4,000-plus pairs of socks that were collected at stations by the train company’s Great Sock Appeal earlier this month.

Nigel Carpenter, Spires’s Chief Executive, was an enthusiastic supporter of the appeal and joined GTR staff at East Croydon station to help receive the donations from rail passengers.

After the charity’s Christmas event, Nigel said: “We welcomed a total of 116 guests to breakfast or lunch on Saturday. They were very grateful to GTR’s passengers for the socks, sometimes heartbreakingly so. One guy said his new socks would probably be the only present he would get this Christmas.

“Our staff and volunteers were happy to bring a smile to so many faces. The socks mean much more than just a few warmer nights - rough sleepers tend to have a lot of foot health issues and clean socks can help stop serious infections developing.

“We are pleased to have still more socks from GTR to distribute. There a long, wet and cold winter ahead and many people will be in need of good-quality socks in the weeks to come.”

Spires, formed 30 years ago, is based in the centre of Streatham and helps people sleeping rough in Croydon, Merton, Wandsworth and Lambeth, is named after the spires of the two churches involved. Their primary aim is to help people move from a life on the streets to a viable, independent life with sustainable work, and they also offer immediate support with breakfast, toiletries, a shower and a change of clothes.

Angie Doll, GTR's Managing Director for Southern and Gatwick Express, said: “We were overwhelmed with the support for the appeal. As well as thanking our customers and colleagues for their generous donations, I am extremely grateful to Spires and the other five charities who are making sure these socks get to people who need them so much this winter.”

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