Help keep homeless warm

Getting ready for the Yorkshire Building Society Socktober campaign are, from the left, Claire Byrne, Natalie Butterworth and Adam Waterfall. Picture: Mark Bickerdike

The Society is launching its month-long Socktober appeal throughout October as part of its charity partnership with End Youth Homelessness (EYH) and to raise awareness of World Homelessness Day on Tuesday October 10.

Donations of new pairs of socks, plus other items such as woolly hats, gloves, scarves and toiletries can be made at the Society’s branches in Leeds, Rothwell, Morley and Yeadon.

According to the Youth Homelessness Databank, 2,323 young people in Leeds received some homelessness support from their local authority in 2015/16, the most recent available figures.

James Paynter, manager of the Leeds branch of Yorkshire Building Society, said: “It’s shocking that so many people have nowhere safe to call their home.

“As the weather turns colder we want to do what we can to help keep them warm and that’s why we’re launching our Socktober appeal.

“A lot of us may take having a clean pair of warm socks to wear for granted but for a homeless person without a proper roof over their heads it’s the last thing on their mind.

“We’re really proud of our partnership with End Youth Homelessness and providing help for young people in need.”

The Leeds branches are also raising money for EYH by running a raffle to give people the chance to win John Lewis vouchers worth £1,000, £500 and £250.