A kind-hearted Glasgow clothing shop owner is hoping to save lives this winter by handing out free 'sleeping pods' for the homeless.
Gerard McKenzie-Govan, 41, wants the pods to go to those who are most vulnerable at this time of year after learning about the innovative one-person emergency shelters for rough sleepers, which are made by inmates at Addiewell Prison in West Lothian.
He currently runs Blankfaces, which is a not-for-profit clothing shop in the West End that doubles up as a drop-in centre for those in need, and wanted to do even more to help this winter by hoping to help people who need it most survive during what is the coldest and most difficult time of the year.
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Speaking to the Daily Record, Gerard said: "They [the pods] come in a rucksack with a bamboo frame and are simple to fold down and pop up again. There is insulation inside them and they are waterproof on the outside. We think they could save lives this winter and are giving them out free of charge to anyone wanting them.
"We have already given out a few of the sleeping pods since we started stocking them last week.
"We've had great feedback from homeless charities working on the streets. They are saying that the pods are being put to good use and are easy to carry around and construct."
Gerard explained that the aim of Blankfaces, the UK's first fashion brand aimed at ending homelessness, is to sell merchandise designed by someone who is homeless or has experienced homelessness. The designer then gets a percentage of each product sold.
And at the end of the year, any profits generated are then put back into grassroots homeless charities across the city.
The caring shop owner added that his decision to dedicate his time to help began in 2018 when his mother Margaret sadly passed away, and he wanted to do something in her memory.
A keen charity worker herself, Margaret volunteered in Africa before settling in Ayrshire and starting up her own homeless hostel.
Gerard said that growing up in that environment and learning from the example set by his mum has made him the man he is today.
He continued: "When my mum died I decided I had to do something to carry on her good work.
"I started out just going down to the Lodging House Mission in Glasgow and hanging around with the guys and doing what I could to help.
"I got the idea to start designing clothes and donate the profits to homeless causes from speaking to people down there. It started off with a few t-shirts and the shop eventually evolved from that."
Gerard's Glasgow shop opened in 2020 and this year, after launching a pop-up store in Manchester, he is proud to be able to support more people than ever before.
He added: "We just want to try and reach more and more people in need. Homeless people are our focus, our priority and the reason why we exist."
HMP Addiewell has been making the pods since 2021 and has already distributed hundreds throughout Scotland.
Fraser Munro, Prison Director, said: “We’re really delighted with our colleagues and prisoners who have gone above and beyond to support this important initiative - many prisoners are all too aware of the issues surrounding homelessness and are keen to help.”
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