How Topshop helped to Spread the Warmth this winter

How Topshop helped to Spread the Warmth to people in later life this winter

Staff and customers at flagship Topshop stores have raised more than £11,700 for the Age UK Spread the Warmth campaign, which has been helping over 350,000 older people live safer, healthier, more fulfilling lives this winter.

From charity Christmas cards to mobile soup kitchens and pop-up workshops, Topshop staff and customers joined in the spirit to help spread a little warmth during the cold winter months.

The mobile soup kitchen hit the streets of London, Liverpool and Birmingham to warm the cockles and hearts of cold and tired shoppers, offering them a cup of soup to help warm them up and lift their spirits during the Christmas shopping rush. More than 3,775 shoppers were given soup in exchange for a charitable donation. In addition, Topshop hosted three days of in-store themed workshops in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Cardiff. For a small donation to Age UK, customers learned the art of Christmas Cracker making, headpiece making and were taught how to customise their own tights.

The money raised from these activities will help fund vital winter projects such as providing advice, support and practical services to cope with issues like heating, health and human contact.

Paul Farthing, Director of Fundraising, said:

'The Spread the Warmth campaign is all about raising awareness of the difficulties that too many older people face in winter and letting them know that Age UK can help. We wanted as many people as possible to get involved in our campaign, and having Topshop on board helped to raise awareness and funds amongst a new and hugely important audience. The funds raised through Spread the Warmth enable us to offer the best support possible to those older people who need it.'

Too many older people are suffering and dying needlessly in winter due to lack of warmth, so Age UK created Spread the Warmth to help tackle the issue. The Charity and its local and national partners are making winter warmer by providing information, advice and practical services to help older people keep warm and well in the colder winter months. Age UK partners offer a variety of services to help with heating, health and human contact including things like helping to claim benefits, getting warm and nutritious meals to older people, and helping to keep homes warm.

People can make a donation simply by calling 0800 169 87 87 or visiting www.spreadthewarmth.org.uk. For free information and advice, older people and their families can call Age UK Advice on 0800 169 65 65, where they can also find details of their nearest Age UK and order a free copy of ‘Winter Wrapped Up' - a guide sponsored by British Gas. Alternatively they can visit www.spreadthewarmth.org.uk.

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Notes to Editors

Age UK

For media enquiries relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland please contact the appropriate national office: Age Scotland on 0131 668 8055, Age Cymru on 029 2043 1562 and Age NI on 028 9024 5729.

Age UK is the new force combining Age Concern and Help the Aged, dedicated to improving later life.

We provide free information, advice and support to over five million people; commercial products and services to over one million customers; and research and campaign on the issues that matter to people in later life. Our work focuses on five key areas: money matters, health and well being, home and care, work and training and leisure and lifestyle. We work with our national partners, Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI (together the Age UK Family), our local Age UK partners in England and local Age Concerns. We also work internationally for people in later life as a member of the DEC and with our sister charity Help Age International.

Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and company number 6825798). Age Concern England and Help the Aged (both registered charities), and their trading and other associated companies merged on the 1st April 2009. Together they have formed the Age UK Group ("we"). Charitable services are offered through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity's trading companies, which donate their net profits to Age UK (the Charity).

Media contact: Ashley Cox
Telephone: 020 8765 7513
Out-of-office hours: 07071 243 243