Coat-A-Thon to keep chills at bay
After the South West community donated more than 1000 coats as part of the first Coat-A-Thon last year, AccordWest are hoping for more donations this year.
AccordWest chief executive officer Neil Hamilton said he was overwhelmed by the support of the community for the event.
"This year we would love to get more children's coats and our target is 1200 coats and jackets, but we are hoping for as many as possible," he said.
Mr Hamilton said the coats and jackets would go to adults and children to help keep them warm during winter.
"We talk to the Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul Society and the people we deal with at AccordWest to see who can benefit," he said.
"We've set up a collection bin at the Bunbury Library and we are looking at having more bins at schools and other public places as well as our office so people can donate easily."
Community members can donate coats, jackets and other items until June 30 and they will be distributed throughout July.
Mr Hamilton said AccordWest employees often saw the struggle that South West families had to keep warm during winter.
"Our employees have contact on a daily basis and we are noticing an increased need for items like coats, which can keep people warm," he said.
"Utility bills are rising and coats are one way of keeping warm without using electricity."
Mr Hamilton said with Margaret River-raised actor Nic Westaway as the ambassador for this year's Coat-A-Thon, AccordWest hoped to engage younger people.
"We are still looking for volunteers to distribute during July, we have three or four volunteers but we need three or four more," he said.
