Connect Group kicks off annual ‘Pass It On’ charity campaign

Newspaper and magazine wholesaler Connect Group has launched its annual campaign to support vulnerable and homeless people across the UK.

The company, which includes Smiths News and Tuffnells in its portfolio, plans to donate more than 5,000 items, such as clothing and blankets, this January.

Connect is encouraging colleagues, partners and the public to get involved and gift items to the campaign.

The ‘Pass It On’ campaign has run for the past three years, with more than 1,000 coats, sleeping bags, blankets and more donated to vulnerable people across the country.

Alongside members of the Connect Group team and the public, a number of businesses and members of the media have pledged support to the campaign.

The Telegraph has donated £1,000 while News UK, The Daily Mail, Associated Newspapers, the National Federation of Independent Retailers (NFRN) are collecting clothing, and Adidas and Market Force are collecting and donating. Great Run Group, Clif Bar and IPRO are providing food and drinks.

“Homelessness is a real issue in the UK that needs a long-term solution,” said Connect interim CEO Jon Bunting. “Vulnerable people continue to need the support of campaigns like ‘Pass It On’ and it’s even more concerning to see how many children and young people there are affected.

“Every garment and item donated to the campaign are so important in the short term to help support people who are homeless or sleeping rough. No matter what time of the year it’s vital people in communities across the UK come together to help support those who are vulnerable. In the winter months, with the low temperatures, it is even more critical that we ensure as many sleeping bags, coats and blankets, as well as other items, are donated.

“As always we will have so many fantastic volunteers up and down the country who will be visiting town and city centres providing the donated items to people who need them most. We can’t urge people enough to get involved and donate.”

Volunteers from Connect Group will be visiting Oxford, Birmingham, Coventry, London, Manchester, Worcester, Nottingham, Leicester and Brighton from 20 to 31 January. If you would like to donate to the campaign, visit connectgroupplc.com for more information.