Salvation Army in Suffolk says it's facing high demand for help during cold snap
They say the stories they hear are 'heart-breaking'
The Salvation Army tells us it's facing high demand for things to keep people warm, as the cold weather and cost of living crisis continues to affect people in Suffolk.
It's as a UK Health Security Agency 'yellow' alert for cold weather remains in force here until tomorrow.
Major Alan Hill is a Salvation Army officer in Woodbridge.
He told us they need more donations of warm items: "I need clothes that are going to keep people warm... something that will stay dry, easy to dry, clothes that they can wear, coats for both ladies and gents, shoes and socks, gloves that they can wear.... (we're) seeing a demand for coats and a demand for thermals."
They've also had requests for medical supplies: "We had a young lady in, crying because she can't even afford cough mixture, and asking if there's any way we could help her out."
He told us they deal with a lot of specific requests, remembering a nurse who came in for their patient, who could not leave their accommodation because they needed a coat and shoes.
"Heart-breaking"
Alan says it's "heart-breaking" to have people continuously coming to the Salvation Army in desperation and asking for help:
"I've always said, yes, I like Harry Potter, but I would like his wand, so I could wave it and everything would be sorted."
He revealed he has been given £2500 - £3000 as a budget for "emergency needs", but it's not stretching as far as he would like: "It's so expensive.
"We had to go and buy a coat and boots and it's about £50 for a pair of decent boots, that someone will be able to walk in, especially if they need to go shopping.
"We get some funding that I can rely on from the Salvation Army Headquarters when I get close to my limit... but it's just one of those things where I have to say, I don't have a never-ending purse."