Great Sock Appeal Needs YOU This Christmas

Selected homeless charities and Govia Thameslink Railway – the UK’s largest rail network – will join forces this Christmas to provide support for the homeless as the winter frost takes hold. The new initiative, Great Sock Appeal, will encourage rail commuters to donate a new pair of socks for those sleeping rough over the festive period.

Often overlooked as an unimportant item, for those sleeping rough, a pair of socks is essential for keeping feet warm and dry. Without them, there is great risk of blisters, fungal infections and even trench foot. This basic item of clothing is also responsible for keeping feet healthy, maintaining good circulation and managing diabetes.

Following on from recent support of WrapUp London, Govia Thameslink Railway continues its campaign to support the homeless this winter with Great Sock Appeal. Collections will take place at stations on the 5^th December between 7am – 10am, offering the opportunity for everyone to donate a new pair of socks to those in need through six regional charity partners. Donation collections will take place at Bedford, Luton, St Albans, Stevenage, Royston, Blackfriars, East Croydon, and Brighton.

Amidst a national homelessness crisis which has seen levels of all types triple since 2010 [1], most of those sleeping on the streets this winter won’t have access to something as simple as a clean, warm pair of socks. With temperatures plummeting on UK streets this December it takes just 30 minutes for frostbite to take hold, meaning socks are crucial for surviving the winter.

Steve White, Chief Operating Officer at GTR, said: “After speaking to numerous homeless charities we learnt how vitally important a new pair of socks really is for keeping feet warm and dry, and we are delighted to support them in this work.

"Christmas is a time for giving, and all it takes is one pair of socks, less than the price of a coffee, to improve the life of a homeless person this winter. We want to thank our customers and colleagues for their ongoing support for those in need.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Participating charities and stations:

• Bedford – NOAH Enterprise

• Luton – NOAH Enterprise

• St Albans – Centre 33

• Stevenage – Helping Herts Homeless

• Royston – Helping Herts Homeless

• Blackfriars – The Connection at St Martins

• East Croydon – Spire

• Brighton – Brighton Housing Trust

About NOAH Enterprise:

Luton based NOAH Enterprise, runs a welfare centre all year round and provides hot meals to people who have fallen on hard times. In the last year, NOAH has received 435 new referrals, provided 16,273 lunches, 6,111 breakfasts and 7.472 soups. Find out more at www.noahenterprise.org

About Centre 33

Centre 33 is a drop-in centre for anyone in the St Albans area who is homeless or otherwise socially or materially deprived. It provides a warm welcome, hot meals and drinks, shower facilities, some second-hand clothes and sleeping bags. Find out more at www.centre33.org/

Helping Herts Homeless

Working with other agencies, it aims to support the provision of emergency accommodation and other support services to anyone in Hertfordshire who has become homeless or is at risk of homelessness. Find out more at http://helpinghertshomeless.org.uk/

The Connection at St Martins

The connection is central London’s homelessness charity and helps thousands of people each year to recover from the trauma of homelessness – providing around the clock emergency relief and long-term support leading to housing, work and independence. Find out more at www.connection-at-stmartins.org.uk/

Spire

Spire is an innovative and forward thinking charity that aims to offer support to those who are in a state of need across South London. The Spires Centre has been working with homeless and disadvantaged people from Merton, Wandsworth and Lambeth for 30 years. Their primary aim is to help people move from a life on the streets to a viable, independent life with sustainable work. Find out more at www.spires.org.uk/

Brighton Housing Trust

Brighton Housing Trust (BHT) is a local charity supporting homeless people across Sussex. Over the last five decades they have helped thousands of people to secure safte accommodation, overcome barriers to work and learning and address issues such as addiction, poverty and mental health. Find out more at www.bht.org.uk/

[1] The Connection at St Martins