A NEW project has been launched to help adults and children who need good quality, warm clothes this winter. 

Malmesbury Community Wardrobe is now collecting coats, jumpers, hats, scarves and other warm clothes to give away for free to disadvantaged individuals and families.

The project is the idea of local entrepreneur and mother-of-three, Ruby Blaken who runs her own online preloved children’s clothes business Second Snuggle. 

"I know how much it costs to clothe growing children,” she said. 

“They grow out of everything so quickly. 

“As a result far too many good quality clothes get thrown away when they still have years of good wear in them.”

“The community wardrobe will help change that and support adults and children who need good quality, warm clothes this winter." 

The scheme is being organised by local Malmesbury charity HEALS and collections are now being accepted at collection points at the Co-op and the Tourist Information Centre. 

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Co-op staff Helen and Gill join Ruby Blaken and Gavin Grant at the clothing donation box at the front of the storeCo-op staff Helen and Gill join Ruby Blaken and Gavin Grant at the clothing donation box at the front of the store (Image: HEALS of Malmesbury)

"When Ruby explained her idea to me, I thought it was brilliant,” said HEALS Chair of Trustees Gavin Grant.

“Just like the community fridge project, the community wardrobe fits completely with HEALS values to help those that need it. “

When there is enough stock, volunteers will take donations to the Riverside Community Centre and sort them into sizes for adults and children. 

Coats will be displayed on rails and the jumpers and other warm clothes on tables in a room at Riverside. 

The clothes will be free to all individuals and families who need them. 

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Project leader Ruby Blaken and Gavin Grant start the first donation of items at the Gloucester Road Co-opProject leader Ruby Blaken and Gavin Grant start the first donation of items at the Gloucester Road Co-op (Image: HEALS of Malmesbury)

Malmesbury Community Wardrobe will open once a week in the Riverside Centre, hopefully from mid-January.

Gavin added: “Both the Riverside Community Centre and the Co-op immediately agreed to help get this project off the ground. 

“We are very grateful to both for their help”

"We hope to set up other warm clothes donation collection points in the town and expand the opening hours of the community wardrobe to include one evening a month.”