ABERYSTWYTH has come together to provide free coats for those in need this festive season.

The Aber Coats initiative, started by Rosemary Carrington-Rogers, sees donated free-to-take coats being put on rails outside shops that have joined the cause.

The scheme has already seen one man, made homeless just weeks ago at the height of the worst of the winter weather, taking two coats to make his life more comfortable, Rosemary said.

Rosemary told the Cambrian News: “It’s something I had been thinking about for a few months after seeing it in other places and wondered why we can’t do something like this.

“I didn’t know how big a problem it was but it’s better to start something and see.

“The response has been absolutely overwhelming.”

After advertising her plan on Facebook, Jennie Miller from Stars on Terrace Road agreed to host the first rail to hold donated clothes and, within a week, dozens of coats had been donated, with four rails established around the town.

“Without Jennie at Stars the plan wouldn’t have happened,” Rosemary said.

“Once we had the first one, within a week we had four.

“I’ve had so much help from people, especially Eve Twitchett when we started and the business who agreed to host a rail.

“The rails are being used very well and people have been very generous with their donations.

“The coats are for anyone who needs one. It is not just for the homeless. Nobody needs to be cold at this time of year.”

The other rails for Aber Coats are being hosted by the Vale of Rheidol pub, the Phoenix in Mill Street, and Arad Goch.

For more information, to donate or help, contact Rosemary on 07890 888762 or see the Aber Coats page on Facebook.

See this week’s Aberystwyth paper for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now