Warm new socks given to Luton’s homeless

Homeless people in Luton have received new pairs of socks this winter thanks to the generosity of Govia Thameslink Railway staff and passengers.

Donations made as part of rail operator’s Great Sock Appeal have now been distributed to six charities, including Luton-based NOAH Enterprise.

NOAH’s Head of Welfare Services Paul Prosser said: “Thank you very much to everyone for donating socks to homeless people in Luton. These have been welcomed with thanks by everyone who has received a fresh, warm pair and are particularly appreciated at this time of year in the cold and wet.”

GTR’s Corporate Social Responsibility Manager Katherine Cox said: “We were thrilled with the enthusiastic response to our sock appeal by passengers and colleagues, and we are pleased to learn what a difference these socks are making to people in need.”

Sock collections took place at several GTR stations, including Luton and Bedford, on December 5. In total 4,170 pairs of socks were collected.

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Note to editors

Sock collections took place at Bedford, Blackfriars, Brighton, East Croydon, Luton, St Albans, Stevenage and Royston on December 5.

Socks have been donated to Brighton Housing Trust, Spires East Croydon, The Connection at St-Martin-in-the-Fields Blackfriars, St Albans’ Centre 33, Helping Herts Homeless Stevenage and Royston, NOAH Enterprise Luton and Bedford.