London’s QEII Centre is calling for old, unwanted or unused coats to distribute to charities that support the homeless, the elderly and refugees.

Launching on Monday 12 November, the Wrap Up London campaign, organised by charity Hands On London, brings Londoners together in coat collections across the capital. Now in its eighth year, the coat drive demonstrates the collective community spirit that exists in London when those in need are at their most vulnerable.

More than 300,000 people in Britain are officially recorded as homeless or living in inadequate homes, according to figures released by the charity Shelter. The problem is rife and in London, where one in every 59 people are homeless, the coats will be distributed via homeless shelters, refugee centres, organisations supporting the elderly, women’s refuges, children’s centres and other charities helping people in crisis.

QEII’s collection will run from Monday 12 until Friday 23 November and will be open to members of the public as well as event attendees.