AS light nights and mild days signal summer is on its way, a group of Hereford workers can congratulate themselves for making the city’s less fortunate more comfortable over the winter.

The Clothe the Homeless scheme adopted by staff at Pertemps People Development Group (PPDG) in St Owen Street provided much needed clothes including winter coats for Hereford Open Door at St Peter's Church House.

“Wardens at our winter shelter distribute the clothes,” explained Ian Roberts from Open Door. “The homeless are given first choice and any items left over are given out at our breakfast club.

“Jumpers and good coats are essential.”

The staff at Hereford PPDG decided to join colleagues at centres throughout the Midlands clothing the homeless after PPDG workers in Birmingham slept rough over Christmas to raise £1,000 for a youth homeless charity.

“To keep the momentum going we had a clothes amnesty driving the collection of coats, jackets and items of warm clothing no longer worn by employees, friends and families,” said PPDG spokesperson Phil Pemble.

“The company has a strong ethos of getting our employees involved in supporting those less fortunate. Clearly there’s been a lot of sorting out going on judging by the flood of donations we received.”

Employees were also encouraged to include a ‘note with a coat’, putting a simple but personal message to the recipient in the pocket.

PPDG has steadily built links with a number of homeless organisations over the years arranging fundraising events and giving donations, including a recent contribution to Hereford’s Breakfast Club.