AN appeal has been launched to help homeless people to get through the cold winter months.

Now in its sixth year, the In Out of the Cold events brings together charities and organisations from across Middlesbrough to provide warm clothes, food and vital essentials at a one-off event in the Town Hall.

Organisers are collecting coats, hats, scarves and hygiene products at drop off points throughout the town including the New Walk centre, Teesside University and Middlesbrough and Teesside Philanthropic Foundation.

Tina Clenaghan, the area operations manager of New Walk, said donations are starting to come in already but organisers are hopeful that this year's event will provide essentials to more than 100 of the town's homeless or vulnerable people.

"We are helping the homelessness team from Middlesbrough Council to organise this year's event which will be more important than ever," she said. "People are already starting to bring things in and everything that is donated in the next week or so will all be used. If it doesn't get picked up at the event, we will be donating anything left to charity shops or hostels.

"The warm clothing that we give out is essential at this time of the year but the small items, such as deodorant and toothpaste, are equally important for people who are struggling at this time of the year.

"Last year we had more than 100 people come to the event and we are expecting a similar number this time. As well as the free clothing and food, a number of different agencies will be on hand to give out advice and offer support."

People are being encouraged to donate warm clothing and hygiene products, including hand wipes, dental care items, lip balm and deodorant, through a shoe box appeal.

Coats can be dropped off at New Walk, 18-28 Park Road North, Middlesbrough; Teesside University's Students Union or information desk as well as its health and social care department.

Shoe boxes can be dropped off at New Walk or Middlesbrough and Teesside Philanthropic Foundation, 87 Grange Road, Middlesbrough.

All donations need to be dropped off by Friday, December 11 so that they can be checked and organised before being handed out at the annual ‘In Out of the Cold’ session, held on Tuesday, December 15 from 1pm to 3pm in the Town Hall Crypt.

For further details visit facebook.com/inoutofthecold and middlesbrough.gov.uk/inoutofthecold