Big Coat Day Sat 3rd Jan 2015 - help us to make a difference

Saturday 3rd January 2015 sees FC United hold its annual Big Coat Day at Ashton United to help those in need across Manchester. All supporters are asked to bring their unwanted warm winter clothing to the Ashton United away game where it will be collected by our partner charity and then distributed to those who need help.

Last year the impact of the cold winter months on the North West took someone’s life every half an hour. FC United’s decision to organise the Big Coat Day collection at its New Year fixture proved timely as the winter was particularly cold. However a fantastic response from the public and football fans alike saw a 6.5 ton wall of winter clothing collected to keep people warm around the city.

The coming winter presents us with a new challenge so we hope that you and/or your organisation can help us help you make a difference by actively supporting Big Coat Day 2015. If you can organise collections of warm winter clothing in your workplaces, then we can help save lives.

FC United has scheduled its 3 January 2015 away fixture for the Club’s annual Big Coat Day collection. Supporters should have a good root around at home and bring their coats and other warm clothing to our away game at Ashton United on that day. We are also asking organisations to contact us at vinnythompson@fc-utd.co.uk now with offers of support. Ashton United FC are also generously supporting Big Coat Day, along with our charity partners, Mustard Tree, Boaz Trust and ACE Centre North.

Mustard Tree vans will be at Ashton United’s ground on Saturday 3rd January 2015 from 12 noon until 2.50pm so that the public and supporters can donate their spare winter clothing, blankets etc. The collection will be followed at 3pm by the Ashton United v FC United game.

Speaking about last year’s event, Dave Smith, director of Boaz Trust, said: “We are really grateful for Big Coat Day. The collection produced some very good quality coats and jackets, and now many of the poorest people in Manchester can see out the winter in warmth and comfort. We’re really grateful to everyone who donated and to all the staff at FC who gave of their time to organise the event so well."

Andy Walsh, FC United general manager said: “Big Coat Day may have started in 2005 as a bit of fun to show we had reached our first Xmas, and it still is fun. But it is also an important statement showing that our supporters continue to care for all our community.???

Organisations that wish to collect clothing but cannot bring it to the game can contact vinnythompson@fc-utd.co.uk or telephone 0161 273 8950 to discuss alternative arrangements.

Big Coat Day 2015 - Saturday 3rd January 2015
12 noon - 2.50pm
Ashton United v FC United
Hurst Cross
Surrey Street
Ashton-under-lyne
OL6 8DY