Kirkgate Market butcher launches "Get Your Kit Off" campaign with UK charity to encourage clothes donations for the homeless

The Leeds Street Outreach Service, a part of social health care charity Change Grow Live, partnered up with the owner of Malcolm Michaels Butchers in Kirkgate Market to rally up some clothes to help those who are homeless across the city.

The “Get Your Kit Off” campaign will run until Sunday 28th February, with the twofold aim of raising awareness of rough sleeping across the city and collecting as many warm garments as possible from the community to tackle this increasingly prevalent issue.

Some members from the Leeds Rhinos rugby team have already shown their support of the initiative by "getting their kit off" to inspire others to donate some of their clothes.

In addition, Carlton Barracks, the military installation in Leeds, will be assisting with the distribution to schools and areas further outside of the city centre, as well as helping with the laundering of clothes to ensure that donations arrive in the best condition.

Malcolm Leary, owner of Malcolm Michaels Butchers in Kirkgate Market, added: “This campaign is for a cause that is so close to our hearts and looks to bring the community together during such hard times.

"The Leeds Street Outreach Service does amazing work to support people who are rough sleeping or at risk of homelessness in the area.

"Most importantly, we want to make sure that people on the streets are equipped for the cold nights ahead with hoodies, backpacks, scarves, socks and hats.”

Helen Hunter-Thompson, Regional Connecting Communities Lead at Change Grow Live, said: “There are a number of complex and challenging issues associated with rough sleeping and a street-based lifestyle.

"We are committed to do all that we can to work alongside anybody found rough sleeping in Leeds and enable them to access appropriate services.

"These donations will bring some much-needed comfort to rough sleepers that have recently accepted support and moved into accommodation settings.

"We are grateful for the support from everyone involved in spreading awareness of this campaign and we would like to thank Malcolm’s Butchers for letting us be part of this excellent initiative”.

This initiative is part of the Leeds Street Outreach Service’s wider work across the Leeds area in partnership with the Safer Leeds Street Support Team.

A previous campaign saw donation boxes placed in Leeds market, filled four times over with donations for Christmas presents for those in need over the festive period.

Clothes donations for the "Get Your Kit Off" campaign can be made by contacting the Leeds Street Outreach Service on [email protected] or dropped in the designated box in the food court of Leeds Market.