Dumfries friends launch coat campaign to help needy over Christmas

The idea came out about after Gillian saw similar projects being set up to help people struggling with the freezing temperatures elsewhere - and thought it could be brought to the region.

Two big-hearted Dumfries friends are aiming to help those less fortunate over Christmas by organising a winter coat appeal.

Gillian Marley-Milligan and Denise Fuller are running the collection which has already attracted a great response from kind locals keen to help out.

All of the coats will eventually be donated to the Salvation Army in Dumfries, which will ensure that they are distributed to those struggling with the freezing temperatures.

Gillian told the Standard: “It first came about because I saw posts on Facebook from Glasgow about people trying to collect coats up there and thought about the needy people down here who could be helped as well.

“I approached the foodbank in Buccleuch Street and in the Friars’ Vennel but they couldn’t take the coats, but the local Salvation Army was very keen so we’re helping them out.

“I just put a post up to see what the response would be and it’s been unbelievable so far with people bringing in items and others offering to take coats in from people.

“We’ve now got people collecting in Glencaple, Castle Douglas and Lockerbie, as well as at Mrs Howat’s Vintage Pantry in Dumfries.”

The appeal welcomes coats of any size and donations of other winter clothing items such as hats and scarves are also welcome.

Gillian added: “I’ve got about 20-30 bags downstairs in my house at the moment and I’m picking up more every day it seems with people coming to us.

“We’ve still got a few weeks left until Christmas and so we’re hoping for a wee push and then it’ll be a case of trying to organise everything into size order.

“It’s definitely ignited a bit of a fire under me to try something like this again, but maybe with toiletries or helping out the local foodbanks in some way.”

If anyone wishes to help out with the collection, they can message Gillian or Denise via Facebook for drop-off locations or further details about the appeal.