Chestertons is once again turning its network of 31 offices into collection points for its annual Coat Drive, in partnership with the ‘Calling London’ charity, and is aiming to collect 5,000 unwanted coats to help keep needy Londoners warm this winter.

Chestertons has been championing this initiative for eight years and last year, 3,500 coats were collected. This year, the agency is aiming to collect even more adults and children’s coats and, for the first time, will also be accepting fleeces and gilets.

Once the Coat Drive ends on 22 November, the donations are taken to a sorting centre before being distributed to over 30 charities helping the homeless, victims of domestic abuse, those living in poverty, the elderly, refugees and children.

Salah Mussa, chairman of Chestertons and chief executive of the Chestertons Foundation, said: “With the nation facing rising living costs and higher heating bills, there will be more people than ever going cold this winter and the need for our annual coat drive has never been greater.

“We are aiming to collect over 5,000 coats this year and encourage anyone with a spare coat to bring it to any one of Chestertons’ London branches before 22nd November.”

Frances Manthos, founder of Calling London, added: “No Londoner should be without a warm winter coat because they cannot afford one, especially a child. Since 2011, Calling London, has been collecting warm winter coats from the public to redistribute them across London to people most in need. Over the years, we have given away over 45,000 coats. Last year we collected 7,500 and this year we are aiming to collect 10,000 in total.”

Chestertons is now urging people to drop their unwanted winter items to any of its branches in London before 22 November. Clean, warm coats, jackets and fleeces of all colours and sizes are required.