Llanelli Rotary Club launch Wrap Up campaign

IT’S your chance to feel a warm glow – by donating a winter coat to Llanelli Rotary Club’s Wrap Up campaign.

This is the third year that Llanelli Rotary has joined in the national Wrap Up campaign to collect warm winter coats.

In the first year of the campaign, the club collected more than 700 coats and distributed them to local food banks, refuge centres, churches, Threshold, CYCA and family support groups.

Llanelli Rotary Club President Cerith Owens said: “We felt that we made a difference in the community and are excited to do it again.

“The response by the local community to our Wrap Up campaign has been wonderful over the last two years. We are hoping for another magnificent response from the people of Llanelli again this year. Everyone we talk to says that they get a nice warm feeling of making a positive contribution to society when they donate a coat to the campaign.”

The Wrap Up campaign runs until December 15.

The following drop off points have been set up in Llanelli:

·      Selwyn Samuel Centre and Anyone Waiting Cafe

·      Tesco

·      Llanelli leisure Centre

·      Fitter Body Ladies Dafen

·      Owens Transport - Dafen & Bynea

·      Llanelli Fire station

·      Age Cymru Dyfed - Trostre Road

·      Llanelli Library

If you need further information, you can contact: 07901 515712 or email secretary.lanelli.rotary@gmail.com

A spokesman for Llanelli Rotary Club said: “Once coats have been collected from the public, volunteers get to work at our sorting sessions. We spend many hours sorting coats into different categories for men, women, children and babies. We check pockets and make sure the coat is clean and in a good enough condition to be given away.

“Our philosophy is ‘Would YOU wear this?’

“We work with charities and community organisations that provide frontline services to the homeless, the elderly, refugees, children and families living in poverty and people fleeing domestic violence.

“Wrap Up do not distribute the coats to those in need directly, because we want to help charities create lasting links with those they set out to help. When a vulnerable person reaches out to a charity for a coat this winter, they will also discover the other resources and forms of support available to them.

“It’s amazing that a coat YOU donated could kick-start a relationship between those in need and the charities that can help them by providing year-round services and support.

“Our impact continues to grow thanks to the generosity of people like you, who take the time to find and donate their unwanted coats, and the incredible volunteers that give their time. 

“We ask that you only send coats that you would be happy to receive. Dirty coats with buttons missing and a broken zip aren't nice for anyone - especially someone currently living in crisis.”