Within the next month Hands of Love will need to find new premises — or at the very least a container — for the clothing operation it has been running at Cedar Hill for the past four years.

During this week's cold snap the charity has been driving a van around the streets handing out warm clothes and blankets to those in need. Those items have in turn been donated by others to the clothes depot at Hands of Love, Cedar Hill.

Now the time has come for Hands of Love to secure fresh premises for its clothing donation collecting and redistribution side of things. The current premises are needed by the owner from the end of April.

Hands of Love administrator Fern Wade is hoping that someone out there will be able to offer alternative premises so the charity can switch over — and it can be anywhere on the Island. At the very least the charity is seeking use of a container to store the clothing stock for the time being.

Ms Wade said: "We do need another place where we can house our clothing as we have to move out by the end of April. We would like to be up country because it is difficult to afford to be in town. We need to continue to help people."

That need was demonstrated this week when Hands of Love took to the streets in a van to hand out warm clothing and blankets to those they saw in need.

At other times the needy make their way to the clothes depot.

"We are kept very busy," said Ms Wade, who would like to start collecting donations of shoes if she is able to secure a container. Anyone who can help the Hands of Love with its search for premises or a container, should contact 238 7368 or alternatively after 6 p.m. on 238-2059. Donations continue to be welcomed for the charity, which has a PO Box HM 3282, Hamilton PX.

Hands of Love also operates a perishable goods, food operation from Camp Hill in Southampton.