Department store staff back homeless charity

M&S staff volunteers at Emmaus Mossley

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MARKS and Spencer staff held a day of action for Mossley's homeless community.

Employees volunteered their time and skills to help homeless charity Emmaus Mossley prepare care packages for those living on the streets.

The 10 staff members from Manchester branches spent the day organising the autumn and winter clothes range for the shop.

Formerly homeless residents at the Queen Street site, known as companions, also took the staff on a tour of the charity's site.

Daniel Wake, service manager at Marks and Spencer Business Service Centre, said: "On arrival we were made to feel really welcome by being shown around the building by Emmaus companions who live and work at Emmaus.

"Right away we could tell that there was a strong family atmosphere and exceptionally hard work ethic.

"The most eye-opening part of the day was when companion Mike took some time out from his metal recycling role to share his story - 10 years of being street homeless.

"Mike waking up on Christmas Day in sub-zero conditions was one of the many heartfelt points in the story. Our team walked away from Emmaus knowing our efforts were for a very worthwhile cause.

"We will share Emmaus' story with anyone who is prepared to listen to us."

Mr Wake helped to organise the employee volunteer day on October 6 as part of Marks and Spencer's corporate social responsibility scheme.

Emmaus Mossley supports 24 formerly homeless people by providing them with a home and work, through social enterprise, in a community setting.

Shop manager Hazel Hodkinson said: "It was great to have the team from Marks and Spencer helping for the day.

"The care packages will be of great benefit to the people we support through our outreach work in Manchester City Centre.

"Our clothes department also received much love and the team identified lots of autumn and winter coats which are now out in the Emmaus Mossley shop."