This festive season, we're proud to announce the launch of 'One Big Drop Off', a major charitable initiative supporting two incredible causes: Mencap’s Shoebox Appeal and FC United’s Big Coat Day.
Both campaigns aim to bring warmth and essential items to those most in need across Manchester and beyond, with drop-off points set up at offices throughout Greater Manchester, and participation welcomed from GC colleagues in Merseyside and Yorkshire.
Mencap’s Shoebox Appeal: A Gift of Winter Essentials
On Thursday 12th December, GC will once again host Mencap for their annual Shoebox Appeal. Mencap service users, many of whom have learning disabilities, have been working hard collecting shoeboxes and thoughtfully deciding what winter essentials to include. Together with twenty volunteers from the GC and The University of Manchester, they'll wrap and fill these boxes with items that can make a world of difference to Manchester’s homeless population.
After preparing the boxes with eye-catching gift wrap, the team will fill them with essential winter items and treats and then distribute them directly to homeless individuals across central Manchester, spreading Christmas cheer and practical support. Any remaining boxes will be donated to local homeless charities, ensuring no gift goes to waste.
Frank Kinrade from Aspire Recruitment, who participated last year, reflected on the experience:
“It was an amazing day, filled with Christmas music, stories, and smiles all around. The gratitude from every homeless person we spoke to when handing them a gift made it all the more special.”
FC United’s Big Coat Day: Keeping the Community Warm
Alongside the Shoebox Appeal, GC is supporting FC United’s Big Coat Day, a long-standing initiative that began in 2005. The Big Coat Day encourages supporters to donate spare warm clothing and other essential items, which are then distributed to individuals and families who need them most.
Over the years, the Big Coat Day has collected thousands of winter coats, boots, hats, gloves, and toiletries, all of which are given to those struggling during the cold months. The initiative has garnered widespread support, with public figures such as John Henshaw, James Nesbitt, and Johnny Vegas lending their voices to the cause.
Fern Goddard said:
“GC Employment’s GM Sales Team collected five cars full of donations of warm items and toiletries for FC United’s Big Coat Day campaign. Items collected from across GC colleagues were distributed by FC United to local community organisations supporting disadvantaged people within the hard winter months”.
How You Can Help
Let’s come together to make this festive season brighter for those who need it most, and to support both Mencap’s Shoebox Appeal and FC United’s Big Coat Day in bringing warmth and kindness to the community.
GC colleagues and the wider community can take part in 'One Big Drop Off' by:
- Making a cash donation via GC’s One Big Drop Off JustGiving page to help us to purchase winter essentials for the shoeboxes and FC United’s Big Coat Day.
- Donate items such as sweets, non-perishable food items, toys, books, warm coats, hats, gloves, scarves, socks, walking shoes/winter boots and new underwear, hygiene products (toothpaste, toothbrushes, hand wipes, rain macs etc.), and anything else that could benefit low-income families and homeless individuals - donations must be non-perishable, new, and unopened.
- Organising drop-offs in Merseyside and Yorkshire to support local charities of your choice.
- Volunteering to co-ordinate collections at your site and come together on 5th December to sort donations for the Manchester region.
- Spreading the word and encouraging others to donate or volunteer.
- Drop off donations - between Monday 4th November – Friday 29th November.
Drop off point locations:
- Lee House - Sunshine Suite
- Stretford Mall, Trafford
- Salford Innovation Forum, Salford
- STS Manchester - Peter Street
- Manchester CFO Hub
For more information, or to get involved, please contact frank.kinrade@aspirerecruitment.org.uk or fern.goddard@gcemployment.uk
Leah.Morton@aspirerecruitment.org.uk is co-ordinating the activities for our Liverpool teams.
Mencap Shoebox Appeal 2023
Big Coat Day 2023
