QEII supports WrapUp London campaign in critical year

London’s QEII Centre is calling on event professionals and the public to donate their unwanted coats and help warm up the capital’s most vulnerable people this winter once again.

The events venue has partnered again with charity HandsOn London to serve as a collection point for its WrapUp London campaign which provides a coat to anyone who needs one, including the homeless, vulnerable families and refugees.

With two thirds of adults in Britain reporting their cost of living increasing in the past month, WrapUp London’s campaign will be more important than ever this year. In London, where nearly half the country’s rough sleepers are, donated 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 has supported the WrapUp London campaign for five years, serving as Westminster’s dedicated collection point and collecting 3,825 coats for those in need.

In total, HandsOn London has distributed 197,000 coats to the capital’s most vulnerable since it started the campaign 11 years ago.

This year’s campaign starts on the 7th of November and QEII is calling event organisers to spread the word to their delegates so they can get involved and maximise donations.

Mark Taylor, chief executive of the QEII Centre said: “In the past we have been overwhelmed by the donations we have received – playing a consistent key role in this cause is a great honour for our centre. WrapUp London really demonstrates the collective community that is central to the spirit of London, and I hope that our work can be an important lifeline for all vulnerable people during this difficult and cold winter.”

Jon Meech, CEO of HandsOn London said: “We are delighted that the QEII Centre will be able to support WrapUp London for another year. Their generosity enables a collection point to be available in the heart of Westminster and has collected several thousand warm coats for the campaign. Every year the demand for warm coats increases and this year is sadly no exception. As a largely volunteer-led campaign we can only hope to meet this demand with the help of partners like the QEII Centre.”

Explore the hireable events spaces available at the centre.

Central Hall Westminster commits portion of £1.3m profit to charity

In December 2015, Central Hall Westminster announced record profits for its 2014/15 financial year, ending August 2015, resulting in £1.3m being invested in facility improvements, visitor services and charitable organisations.

As a not-for-profit organisation, Central Hall is committed to using substantial profits to develop the building as a visitor attraction and venue, as well as supporting the work of the Methodist Church, which owns the building. In this way, support is provided to a number of local charities including the St. Vincent’s Family Project, a registered charity that operates within Central Hall Westminster.

Speaking of the venue’s performance, Paul Souther, managing director, said: “2014/15 was an exceptionally strong year for the business and we have generated some fantastic profit. This would be a welcome result in any business situation, but it is made all the more rewarding by knowing that every penny is being used to make the building better for visitors and to support important charity work.”

The St. Vincent’s Family Project aims to support young families especially where there are difficulties. It addresses the issues of parenting, child welfare and social exclusion by providing services for parents, carers and children.