GB Rowing Team Women's Squad support The Salvation Army's Donate a Coat Appeal with ITV Daybreak
The GB Rowing Team Women's Squad took a well-earned time out from their busy London 2012 Olympic training schedule to support The Salvation Army's Donate a Coat Appeal with ITV Daybreak.
Several members of the team, including Britain's most successful female rower with three Olympic silver medals and six-times World Champion Katherine Grainger MBE, gave their own coats to support the appeal which so far has brought in more than 8,500 garments for those needing to beat the chill this winter.
A team of Salvation Army staff and volunteers gratefully received the donation from the ladies as ITV Daybreak broadcast live to record the event from the GB Team's Redgrave/Pinsent Training Centre in Caversham, near Reading.
Many of the coats donated were taken to The Salvation Army's Willow House Lifehouse, in Willow Street, Reading, which is acted as a drop-off point for donated coats for the appeal which end on Friday 25th November.
Lieutenant Kenneth Guest, leader of The Salvation Army at Reading West Corps (church), said: ‘We are thankful to the GB Rowing Team Women's Squad for taking time out from their busy training regime to come and support the Donate a Coat Appeal.
‘These coats will help many homeless people, older people and anyone who requires a coat this winter but may struggle to afford one. These donations could be a real lifesaver as temperatures drop in the coming days and weeks.'
Captain Jenny Dibsdall, The Salvation Army's Waterways Chaplain, took the time to be interviewed on camera supported by local Reading Salvationists including Stuart Scott, Graham Dednum and David Mortlock.
Jenny said: ‘Public support for our Donate a Coat Appeal with ITV Daybreak has been tremendous and people can be rest assured that their donated coats will be put to very good use.'