ELDERLY, homeless and vulnerable people across the North-East will be kept warm this winter thanks to a project that spans cultural divides.

Running since 2013, the Islamic Diversity Centre’s Keep Them Warm initiative aims to meet the needs of those who are isolated or unable to keep themselves warm.

The project sees supporters and volunteers in Teesside and Newcastle visit the elderly to deliver donations including blankets, slippers, gloves, hats and scarves.

IDC’s Naalia Rehman said: “Our community welfare team realised there were more and more people who were isolated and lonely and realised we needed to do something about it.

“Last year, we took donations to a day centre at North Ormesby Resource Centre, where we knew people would visit and then take items back home with them.

“Some of those people had no families to go home to, they have nobody and the least we can do is try to give them something useful to take with them, something that will keep them warm.

“We also gave out things like tins of soup, fresh fruit and vegetables at every visit for them to take home – one woman I spoke to said sometimes she couldn’t get out so to have soup in the cupboard meant she could eat.”

In a bid to meet demand on the streets, this year the project running in Newcastle will extend to helping the homeless as well as the elderly.

In Teesside, IDC – which also runs regular community lunches for the elderly – is expanding its reach in a bid to help vulnerable families.

Ms Rehman said: “In North Ormesby and around there are already great organisations helping the homeless so we looked to see what else we could help with and found there were many families who were struggling to afford the basics.”

The project’s leaders are now urging people to give generously as they aim to bring warmth to even more people in need this winter.

They are appealing for items including hats, gloves, blankets and scarves and will also accept financial donations, which will be used to support the cause.

To donate, contact Naalia and the IDC team by calling 07376634469 or emailing naaila@idcnortheast.org. Those offering financial support can text KEEP03 £amount to 70070.

The IDC was established in a bid to challenge stereotypes, and break down myths and misconceptions about Islam and the Muslim community. For more information, visit idcnortheast.org.