Buy a celebrity's coat and support older people

Celebrities such as Stephen Fry, Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, and Mollie King of The Saturdays have donated coats to Age UK shops to raise money to help end the needless suffering of older people in winter.

Find out how you can buy one of these coats and support our Spread the Warmth campaign below.

The girl band queens' coats will go on-sale from today, along with donations from designer Julien MacDonald, actor and writer Stephen Fry, TV chef Mary Berry, and Downton Abbey's housemaid Anna Bates, Joanne Froggatt - visit www.ageuk.org.uk/donateacoat to find out which coats are available and where to purchase them.

A selection of brand new coats from high street favourites including Topshop, Barbour, Ted Baker, New Look, Wallis, Burton, BHS, Miss Selfridge, Jaeger, French Connection, Dorothy Perkins, River Island and H&M will also be available to buy.

Mollie said: 'Donate a Coat is a wonderful cause and I'm really pleased I can lend my support to Age UK. I hope whoever buys my coat loves it as much as I do.'

Geri added: 'Everybody deserves to keep warm this winter. If you buy my coat it will really help Age UK. Big hug, much love, Geri.'

We're Spreading the Warmth this winter

Spread the Warmth aims to make winter warmer for thousands of older people by providing information, advice and practical services to help keep warm and well this winter. These include getting nutritious meals to older people, helping to keep homes warm, and giving free information 365 days a year.

Over 200 older people die needlessly in Britain every day in winter because of the effects of cold weather. Over 8,000 coats were donated and resold through Age UK shops last winter, helping to raise thousands of pounds to help keep older people warm.

Hugh Forde, Managing Director Age UK of Retail, Trading and Training, said: 'It's great that our Donate a Coat appeal has already got such high profile support from celebrities and top fashion brands. We hope people across the country get inspired to support us too - by simply popping into one of our shops to donate or buy a coat you really will be helping to make life better for older people in winter.'

Too many older people are dying needlessly

Too many older people are suffering and dying needlessly in winter because of the effects of cold weather, so Age UK has launched its annual Spread the Warmth campaign. Age UK and its local and national partners are aiming to make winter warmer for thousands of older people by providing information, advice and practical services to help keep warm and well in the colder winter months, preventing many thousands from being left isolated and alone.

Older people and their families can call Age UK Advice for free on 0800 169 65 65, where they can also order a free copy of ‘Winter Wrapped Up' leaflet. 

Alternatively they can visit www.spreadthewarmth.org.uk to download the guide, get more information about Spread the Warmth and find out where their local Age UK office or shop is.

People can make a donation simply by calling 0800 169 87 87 or visiting www.spreadthewarmth.org.uk.