Virgin Trains staff donate uniforms to help the homeless

by

Scarves and blankets made from Virgin Trains staff’s worn-out uniforms are being donated to people living on the streets.

Garments such as coats, shirts and trousers originally worn by Virgin Trains staff have been given a new lease of life by prisoners at HMP Northumberland at its onsite textile factory.

Scarves and blankets made from Virgin Trains staff's worn-out uniforms are being donated to people living on the streets.
Photo: Virgin Trains/PA Wire

The rail firm will distribute the upcycled items at major stations and to homeless charities.

Article continues below…
Advert

Enjoy more Rail Express Magazine reading every month.
Click here to subscribe & save.

Other items of clothing which could not be made into scarves or blankets have been used to create unbranded dog coats which will be given to pet-owning homeless people.

Some branded dog coats are being given to staff in return for a charitable donation.

The initiative follows a partnership between Virgin Trains and social enterprise Change Please Coffee, which trains people who have experienced living on the streets to become baristas.

Article continues below…
Advert
Scarves and blankets made from Virgin Trains staff's worn-out uniforms are being donated to people living on the streets.
Photo: Virgin Trains/PA Wire

Virgin Trains community manager Jo Buckley said: “We set ourselves the challenge to be creative and socially responsible with disposing of these old uniforms. It’s also a smart and socially responsible way to handle our waste.

“It’s so rewarding to see the re-purposed uniform benefiting those who really need a little warmth and comfort during the winter months and we’re so proud to play a small part in helping the homeless alongside our work with our partners Change Please Coffee.”

A spokesman for the firm said the project is not in response to the upcoming end of its franchise. The uniforms were more than six years old and were not being worn.

Article continues below…
Advert

You may also be interested in…

Silver Link Publishing
Silver Link Publishing. Photo: Mortons Media Group

Mortons Media Group is delighted to announce its acquisition of renowned rail, maritime, road transport and biography book publisher Silver Link Publishing, which will now become part of the recently launched Mortons Books business.


Advert
Subscribe to Rail Express Magazine
Enjoy more Rail Express reading in the monthly magazine. Click here to subscribe.


Article Tags:

About the Author