An ex-councillor has launched his annual Sock Appeal for the charity Surviving Christmas.
Richard Stevens has run the appeal for 20 years where members of the public are asked to donate a pair or two of new warm socks.
He said: “Warm socks can prove to be a lifesaver if you are living on the streets or in cold conditions. It is sad to reflect that appeals such as this are still very much needed and appreciated in towns like ours. Little did I think when I first started the Sock Appeal 20 years ago that it would still be as necessary today as it was back in 1994. I am asking the good people of Hastings once again to be as generous as possible.”
Donated socks can be left in special Sox Collection Boxes which this year are located in Holy Trinity Church, Robertson Street, The Imagen Gallery in Claremont and JD’s Bar, also in Claremont.
On Christmas Day, Richard will take all the donated socks to the YMCA in St Paul’s Road where Surviving Christmas provides yuletide hospitality, food and clothing for the homeless or those who have nowhere else to go over the festive season.
Surviving Christmas opens its doors on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and December 27. Socks from Richard’s Sock Appeal will be distributed each day.