Swindon charity Threshold and TOG24 team up to help the homeless

This year marks the third annual 'Swap A Coat' campaign, organised by the Swindon homeless charity and the outdoor clothing retailer.

The campaign allows customers of  TOG24 to receive a 15% discount on a new coat when they swap in any old one they own. 

The store will then donate the coats that have been swapped in, to local homeless charities like Threshold.

Steve Sharkey, TOG24 Store Manager, said: “It’s great to see the campaign back for a third year, the success of the last two years has been amazing. In each of the previous two campaigns the company has donated over 1000 jackets nationally to leading homeless charities like Threshold.

"It never fails to amaze me how the community can come together for such a great cause, donating jackets to the store even if they aren’t looking to purchase a new coat, just as a good deed to pay it forward. The campaign was the brainchild of Donna Emms who is an Area Supervisor for TOG24 and she should be very proud of how much of a success it has been, going from strength to strength every year”.

The 'Swap A Coat' campaign runs from 10 - 25 October, the start of which coincided with National Homeless Day.

Steve Sharkey added: “The partnership seems a natural fit, TOG24 provide warm, waterproof products at this time of the year and Threshold provide help and support to those that are rough sleeping and homeless who need it most.

"The last 18 months or so has been hard on everyone and put more strain on charities like Threshold due to furlough ending and the pandemic, a lot more people have found themselves affected with job losses and becoming homeless and the great work that Michael and his team carry out is even more important than ever.”

Michael Keenan, Threshold’s Chief Development Officer, said: “For the past two years, the Swindon TOG24 store at the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, have run a successful national ‘Swap A Coat’ campaign and supported Threshold to keep helping the homeless. We’re very pleased to see the campaign return for another year and hope it will continue well into the future.

"Until the 25 October customers can bring their pre-loved coats to the store and receive 15% off on a brand new coat if they choose to buy one. TOG24 will supply your pre-loved coat to Threshold and we will ensure it's given to someone who is desperately in need of it this winter”. 

TOG24 Swindon is located within the McArthurGlen Shopping Centre, off Kemble Drive. Residents of Swindon will be able to pass along coats at this store until 25 October. 

Michael Keenan added: “We have been working on the frontline the entire time throughout the pandemic and distributed, in each year, a great many clothes and essential items to the homeless. As the weather becomes colder and wetter the demand on the critical services our charity provides to rough sleepers and the wider homeless community simply increases.

"Warm clothing is essential for those who are homeless and sleeping rough. Swap a Coat not only helps those in desperate need within Swindon, but the initiative helps people around the country via the nominated homeless charities across the entire UK. Please consider supporting the campaign."