One of London’s biggest charitable initiatives has returned this November – reminding us that the season of giving is also about giving back. WrapUp London’s enormous coat drive is “one of the largest winter volunteering events in the city”, and it’s back for its 15th year of helping those in need.
So, what exactly is WrapUp London? It’s simple. They collect warm winter coats through collection points scattered around the city and distribute them to those in need. They’re making sure everyone has a coat to wrap up in as the temperatures drop this winter.
WrapUp London started all the way back in 2011, and they’ve grown by leaps and bounds every year. Since 2011, they’ve been able to collect and give out almost a quarter of a million coats to those in need. To be exact, they’ve collected 244,139 warm coats since 2011. Last year alone, they were able to collect over 15,000 pre-loved coats to go to new homes.
This year, they’re hoping to “collect, transport, sort and distribute up to 20,000 warm coats”.
Donating winter coats
WrapUp London really could not make it easier for you to donate your coat if they tried. There is a wealth of drop-off points scattered all around the city, with collections running from November 3 to December 7.
There are over 85 drop-off points in London. Visit their website to find your nearest collection point. There are options to filter by what area of London you live in, making it easy to find one near you.
But that’s not all. WrapUp London has also brought back their tube station drop-off points. From November 4 to 6, commuters can drop off coats at the following stations:
- Kings Cross
- Liverpool Street
- Moorgate
- Waterloo
- London Bridge
Wondering where the coats will end up? WrapUp London will immediately start organising and distributing them to those in need. Sorting and distribution will take place from November 10 to December 19. The coats are sent to a variety of frontline charities, including homelessness organisations, women’s refuges, and family centres. In 2024, WrapUp London was able to distribute coats to over 90 of these charities.
So dig out those winter coats from the back of your wardrobe, or bring them down from the attic. With so many drop-off points around London, it’s time to donate them and give them a new life.