Crisp crusaders have help for the homeless all wrapped up
RESIDENTS are being urged to save a packet to help a worthy cause – so empty crisp wrappers can be turned into blankets for homeless people.
The Macclesfield Crisp Blanket Project, located at Tunnicliffe Signs, in Tytherington, was set up in October last year.
It takes used crisp packets and bonds them together through ironing and then have plastic added on top to create a robust, waterproof blanket or sleeping bag.
As well as helping those in need the scheme is also good for the environment.
Sue Bauer, from the project, said: “These items that were destined for landfill are now being repurposed to help save lives of people on the street.
“The crisp packet inner foil works as a heat insulator, keeping people warm and them and their items dry. It takes 150 packets to make one sleeping bag.
”On average it takes three-and-a-half hours to iron the first packet to the plastic being applied.”
So far more than 4,500 crisps packets have been donated and 25 sleeping bags made.
These have been distributed to people in Macclesfield, Leek, Stockport and Manchester.
The project was inspired by a similar one set up three years ago in Hastings by a woman called Pen Houston.
Volunteers join Sue, who uses the Tunnicliffe premises at weekends, to help with the washing of the packets and then the ironing of them.
Other donations have included three tents, clothes, food and 10 sleeping bags and AstraZeneca has also helped out.
More volunteers for the project would be welcomed and any donations can be dropped off at Tunnicliffe Signs Ltd, Queens Avenue.
Sue asks that crisp packets are cut down the side and bottom with a knife and washed.
For more information visit Macclesfield Crisp Blankets on Facebook.