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Rain fails to dampen Big Coat Day success

Despite heavy rain curtailing FC United’s Boxing Day clash with Witton Albion, the club’s annual Big Coat Day event was still a great success, with around six tons of clothing collected which will make a significant difference to the homeless and needy across Manchester and the North West.

As the rain fell, FC United supporters, friends and local people turned up to Gigg Lane on Boxing Day with a steady stream of bags filled with coats, hats, scarves, woolly jumpers and other warm clothing – all to be distributed by charities the Mustard Tree and Boaz Trust to the homeless and others in need. The Mustard Tree van parked outside the ground soon filled up with bags and this haul added to items already delivered directly to the charity’s office, together with other gear handed into supporting organisations, meant that this year’s total is set to match 2011’s record six-ton haul.

Adrian Nottingham from the Mustard Tree said: “We are extremely pleased with the amount of clothing collected and are very grateful to FC United supporters for turning out in their numbers in the rain to support Big Coat Day. Vinny Thompson from FC United, who helped organise the event, said: “Once again we have been overwhelmed by the support and generosity of our supporters and all those organisations that have supported this year’s event. It’s amazing that people keep finding stuff to donate every year and the collection will make a real difference to those in need across Manchester and beyond.???

The club would like to thank all the organisations that signed up to support Big Coat Day this year. They include Royal Mail Manchester, Bury Council , BAE Systems, BCM Consulting, Arco Workwear, Witton Albion , NHS Manchester , Salford University, Salford NHS, Neighbourhood Services Didsbury, Manchester Jobcentre Plus, Guinness Housing together with various FC branches and individuals organising local collections.

FC United general manager Andy Walsh said: “On behalf of the club and our charity partners Mustard Tree and Boaz Trust, I want to say thank you to all those who took time out of their Christmas to donate coats and other warm clothing to help the homeless and needy. As always, the Mustard Tree van outside Gigg Lane packed to the roof with clothing was a sight to behold and everyone who donated can be sure that every item that we have collected will make a big difference to people in need across our area."



First Posted ~ 10:05 Mon 31 Dec 2012
News ID ~ 4650
Last Updated ~ 01:52 Tue 16 Feb 2021