An Edinburgh drop-off initiative will form part of a nationwide campaign to collect 12,000 coats for vulnerable people this winter.
Humanitarian charity Human Appeal has announced the return of its annual Wrap-Up campaign, which will run in the Scottish capital and other major UK cities from 14 October until 25 November.
The organisation aims to secure a total of 18,000 items of winter clothing across the country to support individuals facing financial hardship during the colder months.
Donations collected in Edinburgh will be distributed to people experiencing homelessness, refugees, asylum seekers, victims of domestic abuse, and children in need.
The initiative returns for its 11th year against a backdrop of continued financial pressure for many households across Scotland and the wider UK.
Data published by the House of Commons Library, based on Office for National Statistics figures, indicates that 55% of adults in Great Britain reported an increase in their cost of living in August 2026.
The winter Wrap-Up campaign is intended to alleviate some of this financial pressure by providing essential warm clothing to those unable to afford it.
Charity partners involved in the distribution have highlighted a particular shortage of men’s coats in recent donation drives, prompting a specific appeal for adult male sizing.
Organisers are encouraging the public to check their wardrobes for unused winter jackets that can be repurposed and forwarded to those requiring urgent support.
Alongside Edinburgh, the campaign will operate in Glasgow, Bradford, Leeds, Manchester, Leicester, Birmingham, the Black Country, Luton, and London.
Each of the participating cities will host local drop-off points managed by volunteer teams and regional partner charities.
The 2026 campaign follows a record year for the Wrap-Up initiative.
During its 10th anniversary in 2025, Human Appeal collected over 40,000 items of winter clothing across its UK network.
This total included more than 10,500 coats, representing a 62% increase in donations compared to previous years.
Since its launch in 2015, the project has grown into the UK’s largest warm clothing campaign and one of the country’s most significant annual volunteering events.
The charity reports that over 326,700 coats have been collected and distributed over the past decade.
The operational logistics of the campaign are supported by partnerships with SafeStore, Hands On London, Network Rail, and Bag2Charity, who assist in gathering and storing the influx of public donations.
Razwan Faraz, Human Appeal’s Associate Director of UK Fundraising, said: “Winter can place enormous pressure on people already facing financial hardship, and a warm coat is a simple but meaningful way for people to support someone in their community.
“We’re encouraging the public to repurpose, forward on and donate what they can to help us reach this year’s target, spreading a positive message of compassion and unity”.
Members of the public looking to donate items or volunteer their time in Edinburgh can find details of their nearest drop-off point on the Human Appeal website.
