An Edinburgh service that helps the homeless are appealing to people to donate a number of clothing items.
The Street Care scheme was launched by Humanist Society Scotland last year in October and give warm clothes and food to rough sleepers in the capital and Glasgow.
But demand on the streets saw them run out of essential clothing items, with an unusually cold spring taking a toll on Edinburgh's homeless.
In a post, one volunteer, Mary Mackay, wrote: "We were hoping that the beginning of the lighter nights would bring a bit more comfort to the homeless living on the streets in Edinburgh, sadly last night was the opossite."
What donations do Street Care need?
Mary explains that Street Care have to be very "specific" when it comes to "exactly the type of items we need for the homeless" because they do not have room to store anything surplus to their requirements.
This is a list of clothing items Street Care need:
- Warm waterproof jackets
- Jogging bottoms
- Hoodies
- Wool sweaters
- Men's pull on hats
- Warm socks
- Gloves
- New men's boxers
- New ladies pants
Street Care say underwear is one of the main items they give out and would also welcome donations of shampoo, deodorant, shower gel and other hygiene essentials.
Some help and understanding goes a long way
Mary said: "Every homeless person has a story to tell and, in so many cases, ending up on the streets was something they have never imagined would happen to them.
Last night two ex-homeless men handed us a donation, it's encouraging to remember that living on the streets isn't always a life sentence but, while it's happening, some help and understanding goes a long way."
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