Kind-hearted Julie aims to help the homeless keep warm this winter
HOMELESS people are being helped this winter by a Burscough couple.
Julie Woods, an accounts manager, and her partner, Keith, both 45, are collecting winter coats and garments to deliver to the homeless.
Julie first started collecting coats three years ago when she noticed the number of homeless people while on a night out in Liverpool.
She decided she had to do something.
She said: “At first, we planned to get about 20 to 30 coats. But the response was overwhelming. Last year, we gave out about 257 clothing packages.”
The couple have been using their front room to make winter clothing bundles. Last year, they were delivering the bundles to homeless people right up until Christmas Eve.
She added: “Some of them ask ‘why?’ and ‘how come?’ There’s so many different stories, they’re not all to do with drink and drugs. It’s like they say, you’re only ever two pay cheques away from the street yourself.
“It’s cold and wet. People deserve the benefit of the doubt. It gets to me, I can’t help it.”
Since putting out her Facebook request, Julie’s front porch has been piling up with coats. She plans to have all packages done by December 1.
The couple have been accepting deliveries to their house, as well as collection points set up in local businesses.
You can drop off your old coats at; Creative Kitchen Design, in Liverpool Road North; MK Hairdressers, in Burscough Street; and Dotty & Co, at Hesketh Farmers Market in Chorley.