ARSENAL Football Club are donating coats and jackets to a rail designed to help those experiencing homelessness keep warm.

Take One Leave One is an initiative that started in Exmouth Market in 2018, but has now spread across the UK. Yesterday (Thursday) it had its seventh winter launch, installing a new rail where locals can leave clothing, and those in need can pick some up.

Arsenal began donating warm jackets in 2021, and are planning to give dozens more to be shared across TOLO rails in London.

The rails are accompanied by a banner that reads “If you need one, take one. If you can help leave one”, and residents are encouraged to leave any spare clothing they have.

The launch took place outside Wesley’s Chapel on City Road where a rail has been running for almost five years.

Reverend Dr Jennifer Smith said: “It has been hugely successful and has proved a really good way for people in our community to help one another in an area where tower blocks and closed entrance flats do not allow for much neighbourliness.

“There is no test for people who want to take a coat other than that they feel the cold and contrary to what you might expect, it is not abused,” she added

One of the newest rails that has sprung up is in Kentish Town after Ben Zeno, 15, heard that a homeless man had frozen to death in a bin shed last month and wanted to take action.

“I found the fact that someone could have died due to the cold so close to where I live really shocking,” said Ben. “Take One Leave One sent me a free banner with some guidance as to how to go about setting up a rail. The rail is in a good, covered location outside the station and is getting popular as more locals get to know about it.”

Stefen Simanowitz, the founder of TOLO, said: “With freezing temperatures hitting Britain, this simple idea which can be replicated anywhere is a way to help ensure homeless people and anyone facing hardship can stay warm this winter.”

He added: “We felt it was appropriate to hold our winter launch on Valentine’s Day because this initiative is a form of love in action.”