MORE than 2,400 winter coats were donated to a scheme in Somerset that aims to help keep folks warm – and reuse winter wear.

The Somerset Libraries Winter Coat Exchange has run in recent years, with people donating coats at county libraries for collection by those who need them.

After the most recent initiative, Somerset Council said 2,470 coats for adults and children were donated and 2,086 coats taken – more than double the figure received the previous year.

The scheme runs each year when the weather gets colder and was designed to support the community by providing access to warm coats for everyone, especially those who may struggle to afford them.

All coats not taken by people in libraries were sent to a refugee charity RAFT (Refugee Aid From Taunton), which supports displaced people locally and further afield, alongside working with other local charities/groups supporting a variety of different causes.

READ MORE: Winter coat scheme to support those in need expanded across Somerset

This effort not only provided people with warmth but also had an environmental impact by reducing waste.

The Winter Coat Exchange, now in its second year, was expanded to 15 libraries across Somerset, including: Taunton, Priorswood, Wellington, Dulverton, Bridgwater, Yeovil, Minehead, Shepton Mallet, Glastonbury, Street, Langport, Ilminster, North Petherton, Porlock and Chard.

Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts, the council’s lead member for communities, housing and culture, said: “The success of the Winter Coat Exchange is a testament to the power of community and the positive impact of collective efforts.

“As the colder weather sets in, Somerset Libraries continue to be more than just places for reading and studying; they become warm, welcoming, social spaces – real community hubs.

“The environmental benefits of the Winter Coat Exchange are equally impressive. By encouraging the reuse of coats, the initiative helps to reduce waste and promote sustainability.”