Srefan Simanowitz adds the coast donated by Arsenal

A 15-YEAR-OLD schoolboy from Kentish Town has set up a free warm clothes rail for homeless people following the death of a rough sleeper in a bin shed in Hampstead.

Since February 4, between 50 to 100 items of warm clothing including coats, jumpers and trousers have been taken by people in need from a rail outside Kentish Town tube station.

The initiative is part of Take One Leave One, where clothes are donated by local people and then taken by anyone experiencing difficulties in the winter months.

“I found the fact that someone could have died due to the cold so close to where I live really shocking,” said Ben Zeno, the teenager who organised the Kentish Town rail.

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Last month, the New Journal reported that a man died while sleeping in a bin shed in South End Close estate, Hampstead, when it was -5° outside.

Ben added: “Take One Leave One sent me a free banner with some guidance as to how to go about setting up a rail. The rail is in a good, covered location outside the station and is getting popular as more locals get to know about it.”

Originally set up during the cold snap of 2018 with a single rail in London’s Exmouth Market, the idea has spread with rails sprout­ing across the country.

Stefan Simanowitz, founder of the scheme and a Gospel Oak resident, said: “With freezing temperatures hitting Britain, this simple idea which can be replicated anywhere, is a way to help ensure homeless people and anyone facing hardship can stay warm this winter. We felt it was appropriate to hold our winter launch on Valentine’s Day because this initiative is a form of love in action.”

Yesterday (Wednesday), Mr Simanowitz added coats donated by Arsenal FC to the rail.