WHITECHAPEL based homeless charity Crisis has joined forces with the UK’s leading self storage company, to collate foods, clothing, toiletries and other items to distribute to more than 2,500 homeless over Christmas.

Kind-hearted East Enders are being asked to drop-off specific gifts, ranging from tinned soup to men’s socks, contained on a Christmas Wish List, at the Safestore’s in Stepney Way, Whitechapel before December 10.

The gifts will be given out to guests at nine Crisis At Christmas centres around London, hosted in academies and colleges across the capital, over the festive period.

Crisis At Christmas provides homeless people with companionship to alleviate loneliness and isolation. They are also given support to take their first steps out of homelessness.

Crisis chief executive Leslie Morphy said: “With over 2,500 people coming through our doors every Christmas, it is a huge challenge to source the essential equipment needed to help our guests.

“Safestore’s support will help us to offer a full range of services for many homeless and vulnerably housed people this Christmas and in turn help our guests to leave homelessness behind for good.”

Safestore boss Neil Riding said: “The Christmas Wish List has a whole host of items that can be donated and we hope that people will find something that they can bring to their local Safestore.

“Businesses can also get involved in the project as there are items, ranging from flat screen monitors and digital cameras to office chairs and carpet tiles that are needed for use by volunteers at the Crisis centres.”