A WINTER appeal has been launched for the first time to help provide children's coats after six schools in need contacted a charity.

Hope for Food has launched an appeal for children's coats that will be desperately needed this winter. 

The charity decided to launch the appeal after being contacted by six schools to see if they were able to supply coats to their pupils. 

The schools are concerned that a number of their pupils "do not have warm winter coats."

The charity believes the cost of living crisis is the reason a lot of families are in need of support in buying warm clothing this winter. 

A spokesperson from Hope for Food said: "This is the first time we have done this winter appeal.

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"We have always had coats donated and been able to supply a few but this year we have been contacted by six schools to see if we can supply coats to their pupils who do not have a warm winter coats.

"We are aware that due to the cost of living crisis buying a winter coat is just another expense and may not be possible for some of the families in need."

"The appeal was launched on social on Monday, October 10 and within 24 hours we have had 5,839 views on our Facebook page and the post has been shared 119 times. It is also on Instagram and Linkedin.

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"We have also had people requesting posters so they can display them.

"We haven't had any donations yet but we are very hopeful that we will get donations over the next few weeks."

Coats must be clean and in good condition and can be delivered to Unit 13 West Howe industrial estate, Elliott Road, Bournemouth BH11 8LZ on Tuesday and Thursday between 9.30am and 12.30pm and Saturday between 10am and 12pm.

Hope for Food is a charity based in Bournemouth set up and run entirely by volunteers.

It aims to provide life's basic essentials on a day to day basis to people in need of help due to the current economic climate.