CHILDREN´S charity Barnardo’s has found that around 1 in 6 parents surveyed in the North West (16%) say they will struggle to afford a coat or clothing that will keep their child warm this winter.

The charity also reveals that around 1 in 6 parents in the Region (17%) worry that their child’s current coat or clothing may not keep them warm this winter – but it is all they can afford.  And, shockingly, almost 1/3 (31%) of parents in the North West say they worry that their children will be cold at home this winter because of the cost of energy bills.

Barnardo’s believes there could be 300,000 children in the UK without a winter coat – and around 2.2 million parents struggling to afford a warm coat or clothing for their children. 

The children’s charity has calculated the figures based on its latest YouGov survey, which surveyed parents of children aged 18 and under and children aged 6-15 in the UK last month.  

Barnardo’s is calling on the public to help it support children in poverty by donating or dropping off any unwanted, pre-loved children’s winter coats to their local Barnardo’s charity shop.

In a recent survey of Barnardo’s frontline staff, 400 out of 870 workers (46%) who responded said they had witnessed children, families and parents going without essential clothing. 

Every year Barnardo’s supports thousands of children and families who are struggling through its child poverty fund. Between November 2024 and February 2025, half of the applications the charity received for support from the fund were for clothing. 

Examples included:- 

• A mum and her 2 girls, aged 1 and 3, who had to flee their home due to domestic abuse. They had to leave all their belongings behind, and the girls desperately needed warms coats and clothes. Barnardo’s support provided new coats and warm pyjamas.   
• A worker became concerned over the welfare of 1 5-year-old girl from a family struggling with a low income and mental health problems. The girl had no coat, warm clothing or school shoes and had to make her own way to school. Barnardo’s support meant not only was she warm, but also safe, had more dignity and the chance to play with friends at lunchtime.   

 
Nadine Good, Director for Barnardo’s North Region said:- “It’s simply not right that across this region, too many children are facing a harsh winter without the basics they need to stay warm, healthy and hopeful. When families are living from hand to mouth, as so many families are, it just takes one thing to go wrong, and they can be in a crisis. Behind the sparkle of the festive season we know there will be children worrying about having enough to eat, making do with a coat that’s too small and feeling left out of the celebrations. That’s why this winter and all year round, Barnardo’s supports children and their families to keep the power on and the fridge stocked, helping with the essentials to ease some of the worry. And we couldn’t do this without the generous support from the public.”

Dame Helen Mirren, actress and Barnardo’s ambassador said:- “Parents always try to protect their children and keep them fed and warm. I grew up after the war and for us money was always very tight, but I was lucky because my father didn’t get ill and didn’t have to stop working. It’s heartbreaking that so many children will be hungry and cold this winter, and too many families will be dreading the festive season. That’s why Barnardo's is helping families keep the heating on and the fridge full.”

To find out more about Barnardo’s and how you could help give Christmas back to children living in poverty, visit their website.