Rochdale councillor donates winter clothing to homeless

Dozens of needy people will be wrapping up warm this winter thanks to a donation to local charity Angie's Angels.

Coun Faisal Rana handed over boxes of new coats and jackets to the Rochdale-based charity to help the homeless and other vulnerable people during the current icy weather.

He said: "I managed to get hold of fifty or more winter coats from a manufacturer in Manchester.

"I contacted Angie Howarth at Angie's Angels who I know does lots of great work with the homeless, veterans and other needy groups.

"These coats will go to the right people who desperately need winter clothing. Unfortunately, there are too many people today sleeping rough with nowhere to live.

"It shouldn't be like this in a country as rich as ours, but thanks to the many charities and voluntary groups like Angie's Angels, the homeless have somewhere to turn for help."

Angie's Angels is a local charity which provides furniture, soft furnishings, food, and clothing to people who have recently returned to housing, or are experiencing financial difficulties.

Angie said: "We help veterans, street homeless, people living in hostels and vulnerable adults .

"We run a free community café feeding on average 40 people and we also run a clothing giveaway every Tuesday from our local soup kitchen.

"We would like to thank Councillor Rana for such a fantastic donation."

Charity volunteer Andy Parkinson said: "There is always a huge demand for warm clothing during the winter and Faisal's very timely and generous gift will mean many vulnerable Rochdale people will be able to keep warm and dry during this very cold and wet weather."