Gemma Halfhide began the venture three weeks ago as a way to keep occupied after losing her job and teamed up with friends Chris Leonard, Dan Elder and Mitch to create the Cold Feet Campaign.
The four met online through their mutual passion for collecting Adidas trainers and have amassed a number of contacts in the industry through the years.
After helping a mutual friend that had fallen on hard times, Gemma realised the need for good quality footwear for the homeless and decided that she now had the time to dedicate herself to the venture.
In just three weeks, the campaign has gone from its launch to Gemma’s kitchen being full of over 300 pairs of trainers from top brands such as Barbour, Versace, Armani, Stone Island and many more.
Many designer label clothes have also been sent in. These will be raffled off to raise money, 100 percent of which will be placed into a community fund to help people pay for essentials when moving into a new hostel or temporary accommodation.
These shoes will now be reconditioned if necessary and sent on to those in need as soon as possible.
They are delivered to people in need across the country, with Gemma making recent deliveries in Peterborough to Hope House and the Supported Housing Foundation.
Gemma said: “It was difficult when I lost my job, it’s really good for staying active and it’s something that gives me pride. I knew it would also mean sitting around around a lot and I didn’t want my mental health to suffer, I know what it can do to a person, I’ve lost two friends to suicide.
“We’re all big collectors of Adidas and our contacts and other companies have been so great in helping us out with donations.
“Shoes are really important to people without a home, they’re on their feet a lot of the time and their shoes get worn down. No one should ever have cold feet.
“It’s been absolutely crazy, things have just taken off, particularly on Instagram, which I look after, we’ve already got over 1300 followers.”
The teams and in regular touch online and Gemma is supported at her home in Bretton by her sons Dennis, Kray and Johnny.
Chris in Leeds is the northern lead, Dan, in Fyfe, is the Lead Restorer and Mitch looks after donations in the midlands.
Professional companies, such as Renovation Station, that restore shoes have also offered their services to support the campaign free of charge.
Several large brands such as Monster and Rockstar have also been in touch and supporting the campaign which has received celebrity endorsement.
This is England and Line of Duty star Vicky McClure has been in touch about making a donation, as has ‘Fenners’ from Soccer Am and Gemma this week had an online call with popular DJ Sam Divine.
She added: “People have been so kind and we have received the most beautiful notes, which I personally reply to them all because I think that is really important.
“We feel this is a really genuine cause helping people, looking good leads to feeling good.
“The community fund is really important aswell and my ambition is to one day to open a community hub that can offer really affordable goods and be able to teach people how to look after and restore their own items.
“I have to thank my sons for helping me along the journey so far and I think it all just goes to show what can get done if people just paid less attention to their own needs and took time out to help others.
“That’s what we are, just four people who love helping people.”
To support the Cold Feet Campaign, visit: instagram.com/cold_feet_campaign/.
