Local Store and Charity seeking clothing donations for their Winter Clothes Drive

The Zip yard, based in Chapel Allerton, alongside Leeds’ charity Homeless Street Angeles have decided to team up and launch a winter clothes drive for people on the streets who struggle to make ends meet, so they can be warm this winter.

The UK tailoring franchise, which has become the country’s largest professional tailoring network with currently 27 stores nationwide, joined the Local Fundraiser of the Year winner at the Yorkshire Choice Awards in 2019 on their mission to help homeless and marginalised people change their lives, by offering them opportunities with which they can achieve their full potential. 

This partnership encourages both customers of The Zip Yard and local residents to drop off their unwanted warm winter clothes at the city local store for distribution via the charity. The clothing alterations business is offering their seamstresses skills to repair any donated items free of charge. 

Neluka Dunning, the businesswoman owner of Chapel Allerton-based store expressed their feelings on giving back to the community: “[…]The very nature of our business means people are always bringing in their clothes for repairs and alterations. As part of the Winter Clothes Drive with Homeless Street Angels, we’re offering our services to repair items brought in by the public so that they are all in good condition to go on and keep people warm in the continuing cold weather [since] at this time of the year, lots of people are having wardrobe clear outs and replacing older items with new ones received at Christmas or bought in the sales, so it’s the perfect time to drop off coats, hats, thermals, gloves and thick winter jumpers.” 

She also conveyed their gratitude towards their partner and stated: “We’re looking forward to helping them distribute donations”. This gratitude is reciprocated, as the co-founder and director of Leeds Homeless Street Angels, Shelley Joyce, also spoke very highly of the support the local store has given them. 

“Support from local businesses like The Zip Yard is incredible for us, and the winter clothes drive will give individuals the opportunity to give otherwise unused items that might have gone to landfill or charity shops straight to our clients who need them right now. It’s a brilliant initiative and we hope people will utilise The Zip Yard drop off point when they are clearing out their wardrobes.”

Furthermore, Joyce highlighted the importance of donations during Covid times: “Winter is a particularly difficult time for those living on the streets – the temperature often dips below freezing and Covid has meant there are less people out and about who might have previously gifted items or provided warm drinks.”

Those wishing to donate items can drop them off at The Zip Yard Chapel Allerton store, Chapel Allerton House, 114a Harrogate Rd, Leeds LS7 4NY.