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Portable insulated food and drink container manufacturer Thermos UK has teamed up with a homeless charity in Leeds to provide flasks for hot drinks to keep rough sleepers warm during the colder nights.
As homelessness in the West Yorkshire region reaches record highs and the problem becomes more visibly evident, Thermos UK wanted to make a contribution.
As a Leeds-based business, Thermos UK approached Simon on the Streets – an independent, local charity offering emotional and practical support on an outreach basis to rough sleepers across Leeds, Bradford and Huddersfield – to see how they could help.
Both parties quickly realised that there was an opportunity to provide rough sleepers with a flask that could be regularly refilled to keep a drink hot for up to 18 hours. Bearing in mind that many rough sleepers move around day to day, Thermos UK selected its ‘Light and Compact’ stainless steel 500ml flask, which is durable and easily transported.
Simon on the Streets is now in the process of distributing the flasks in the region – and has embarked on a tie-up with key coffee shops. If rough sleepers approach one of the participating coffee shops with a Thermos UK flask bearing the Simon on the Streets logo sticker on the back, they will be given a free hot drink.
Fahad Khan, development manager of Simon on the Streets, said: “We are delighted and incredibly thankful that Thermos UK has donated these flasks to us. As the weather gets colder it becomes increasingly difficult for rough sleepers to stay warm. Being able to get free hot drinks will provide our clients with some respite from the cold through the night when cafes are closed.”
Thermos UK managing director Nick Kime commented: “We are delighted to support such a great charity. The level of homelessness in the region, let alone in the UK, is at a critical mass. Working with Simon on the Streets, we are happy to be able to play our part in supporting the work they do.”
Simon on the Streets also manages a Tuesday evening sandwich and hot drink run. When the Thermos UK team saw the rather worn drinks dispensers that the charity was using, it offered to replace them with Thermos 2.5 litre Pump Pots, which keep drinks hot for more than 12 hours.
In addition, three members of the Thermos UK marketing team recently took on the challenge of sleeping rough for a night as part of an organised ‘Sleep with Simon’ event, raising a total of £2,370 for the charity.
