Hairdressing Lecturer Nicky Mackenzie has set her sights on helping the homeless through the winter, with donations of warm clothing, blankets and even treats for their pets.
Nicky was inspired to act by her sister Lynn McDonald, who took part in a ‘sleep-out’ in Glasgow last year to help raise money for those less fortunate. However, they have both teamed up this year to launch a ‘Winter Warmer for the Homeless’ Facebook and Just Giving page in order to provide comfort from the cold for the homeless – who will be hardest hit during the cost of living crisis.
Kind-hearted Nicky, who has been a lecturer at Forth Valley College for 17 years and initially one year at Falkirk College of Technology, is looking for colleagues and students to donate anything they can which may be of use.
Items Nicky – pictured here (centre) with some of her students - is looking for include: hats, scarves, gloves, fleece jackets or blankets and even treats or toys for the pets that many homeless people also look after. Any donations can be brought to the FVC Falkirk Campus hairdressing Salon and placed in a box for safe keeping.
Nicky and Lynn hope to visit an area of Glasgow where it is known many homeless people bed down for the night, in the last week in November to distribute her Winter Warmer packs.
Nicky, who lives in Plean, said: “We are aiming to make up at least 20 packs to start with, but will happily do more if we get enough donations, and then distribute them to the homeless in Glasgow.
“Last year I helped out volunteering with a Stirling Charity who were helping people who were struggling to find enough to eat each day, but that isn’t running this year. So both my sister and I wanted to do something and because Lynn had done the sleep out last year for the homeless, we thought we would do the best we could to help them.
“I appeal to my colleagues to have a rummage around in their house and donate old clothing they don’t need or want. They will be clearing some space and helping a very good cause at the same time. Alternatively they can go onto our Just Giving page to donate some cash to help the Homeless.”
Click here to visit the Warmer Winter for the Homeless Facebook page.
Click here to visit the Just Giving page.