Story By maggie hughes

It has been a record year for the Rotary ‘Wrap Up’ project which received ​approximately 4,000 warm, good quality coats, gilets and fleeces from the ​generous people of southern Wales.

By the end of November all the coats had been checked, sorted and donated to ​recognised charities supporting both the homeless and refugee communities ​across our District.

Wrap Up is a campaign run nationally by Rotary clubs in partnership with the ​registered charity Hands On London.

The project started in Rotary in Southern Wales (District 1150) as a joint effort ​supported by eight Rotary clubs based in the Cardiff area.

In 2023, Abergavenny and Cowbridge Rotary clubs supported the project by ​collecting in their areas and sending donations to the Cardiff project.

However, the ‘Wrap Up’ project has now spread with the Rotary clubs of ​Swansea, Cwmtawe, Morriston, Mumbles and Llanelli also planning their own ​local collections of warm coats.

Corporate partners Safestore UK gave Rotary clubs in Cardiff free space to store ​all their donations and the company also supplied a cage in their reception area ​where people could donate directly to their depot on Newport Road.

Rotary clubs in the Swansea area were also fortunate to obtain free storage ​through Selfstore, run by Brittania Robbins.

The campaign kicked off last October when Rotary clubs across southern Wales ​distributed collection boxes for coats were established around the district and ​the public didn’t disappoint which meant the boxes were emptied on several ​occasions during the month-long project.

When District Governor Mary Adams visited the Cardiff clubs during the first ​week of November, she spent time lending a hand with sorting coats and said ​she was delighted to be invited and be part of such a worthwhile project.

When District Governor Mary Adams visited the Cardiff clubs during the first week of November, she spent time lending a hand with sorting coats and said she was delighted to be invited and be part of such a worthwhile project.

Mary congratulated clubs across southern Wales, describing this service project as showing Rotary at its very best.

The majority of donations were delivered during November to several nominated organisations including the YMCA, homeless shelters, foodbanks, The Salvation Army, refugee centres, women’s refuges and Crisis Skylight – the Lord Mayor of Swansea’s charity of the year.

This project ensured more than 4,000 people in need had warm clothing as they faced a difficult winter.

The project has now closed for 2023 but Rotary in Southern Wales is intending to repeat the ‘Wrap Up’ project in 2024. They are encouraging people not to throw away your coats, fleeces or gilets, store them ready for next October.

For more details about the ‘Wrap Up’ campaign, head over to their website.