Bootle-based Gaskells Waste Services  is joining in with the Socktober campaign to raise cash for homeless charity The Whitechapel Centre

Merseyside waste management company Gaskells Waste Services is supporting homeless charity The Whitechapel Centre by donning some “fab and funky socks” to take part in the charities Socktober campaign.

The Socktober campaign encourages individuals, businesses and schools to wear some funky and fabulous socks on a day in October and make a donation to the charity. The Whitechapel Centre gives out over 7,000 pairs of socks each year to those in need and it’s an item that is rarely donated in new condition.

The Bootle-based waste management company has worked in partnership with The Whitechapel Centre for several years, supporting them financially and also helping to raise awareness of the dangers of rough sleepers taking refuge in commercial bins.

Gaskells’ main truck on the Liverpool route is branded with The Whitechapel Centre’s logo and phone number and all their commercial bins have stickers warning of the dangers of sleeping in bins, along with the contact details for The Whitechapel Centre.

Gaskells also actively fundraises for The Whitechapel Centre. In the past they’ve hosted a pie-off, as well as a bin truck pull – so Socktober is right up their street and it allows all the staff to get involved.

Julianna Petkovic, fundraiser for The Whitechapel Centre said: “The Whitechapel Centre and Gaskells have a fantastic partnership and we have been working closely together to raise awareness and fundraise for the last few years.”

And Claire Hannah from Gaskells marketing team, added “Homelessness is an issue which is very close to our hearts as our drivers see people sleeping on the streets every single day.

“We’ve been working with The Whitechapel Centre for the past few years as we’ve seen first hand the work they do for homeless people across Liverpool, which is invaluable. The whole team at Gaskells really enjoys taking part in their events, so Socktober is brilliant, because all our staff can get involved.”