Sophie Cosford with her sons George, 4, and Gus, 1, surrounded by the jackets donated for Wairarapa Winter Jacket initiative. PHOTO/EMMA BROWN
EMMA BROWN
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Winter clothing is coming in left, right and centre for the new Wairarapa Winter Jackets initiative.
As quick as they are coming in, they are flying out the door.
It was changing circumstances that led the founder of the initiative, Sophie Cosford, to come up with the idea.
“If I was struggling to make ends meet and get clothes and things that the children needed, then I definitely wasn’t alone.
“There will be lots of other people in a similar situation to me and, being this close to winter, buying a new jacket can sometimes be just beyond reach,” Cosford said.
The goal was “to keep people warm and relieve some pressure”, she said.
The initiative was launched on Sunday with a large number of winter coats for children and adults that had already been collected.
“Everything received so far has been nice and clean, and really good quality. It has been an amazing response. Pretty much every child’s jacket has been matched with a new home and we’ve got a waiting list for adults as well.”
There are six drop-off and pick-up points around Wairarapa, and Cosford is happy to collect from homes if people can’t reach the drop-off points.
“We are looking for jackets, coats, woollens, knitting and hats – they just need to be clean.”
Once an item is matched with a new home, the item will be dropped off at the collection point with the name pinned on for collection.
“In my experience, when you are cold, kids tend to get sick. Once they get sick, it is really hard to stop that cycle.
“But if they are warm and dry, then it’s a bit easier to keep them from getting unwell.”
The initiative will keep running as long as there was a need for it.
Cosford will also work with Plunket, Whaiora, Family Works and will be approaching schools and kindergartens.
To donate or collect, you can visit the designated drop-off points or go to Wairarapa Jackets’ Facebook page.
DROP OFF AND COLLECTION POINTS
Masterton – The Chiropractic Health Centre, 1 Jackson St; More FM, 443 Queen St, Kuripuni.
Carterton – 3Mile Co-working Community next to Take Note.
Greytown – The Offering Cafe.
Featherston – Bell St Early Learning Centre.
Martinborough – Bell St Early Learning Centre.
