Clitheroe Rotary Club launches 2026 Wrap Up East Lancashire winter coat collection

A campaign, that last year saw over 2,000 winter coats handed out to the vulnerable, homeless and those in crisis, is set to be launched for 2026 in the Ribble Valley.

Clitheroe Rotary is taking part in the Wrap Up East Lancashire project throughout October. An annual winter coat collection run by local rotary clubs in partnership with the charity Hands On London, the mission is to collect clean, good-quality warm winter coats to distribute to local charities, refuges, and support organisations.

In 2025 Clitheroe rotarians distributed, over 2,000 coats across East Lancashire to those in need via 15 charities. Struggling veterans, victims of domestic abuse and those recently released from prison also benefit from the project which has the motto ‘Warm a heart, give a coat’

Unwanted ladies’, men’s and children’s coats can be dropped off at collection boxes sited in Booths, Tesco and Sainsbury’s supermarkets in Clitheroe between Saturday and Sunday, Oct 3 to 25. All the rotarians ask is that the items have working zips and are clean and in good condition.

Along with the coat collection Clitheroe Rotary will be holdings its twice yearly collection of tools, sewing machines, old spectacles, mobile phones, unwanted foreign currency and coats on Clitheroe Market on Saturday. October 10.

All the tools and sewing machines donated will be sent to help people set up businesses as tailors, mechanics or carpenters in Africa. Phones and glasses will go to International Aid Trust and currency will be converted into sterling and donated to Mary's Meals, to help feed children who attend school in Africa.

A recent street collection saw the generous people of Clitheroe donate in excess of £1,200 for the Nepal Disaster Relief. The money will be used by the charity, Shelter Box, which is already working in the country to provide much needed shelter and survival equipment after the recent floods.