A DUBLIN STORE’S wish to facilitate donations to the homeless by their customers has seen nearly 900 foil blankets and foam mats donated in just three days.

Great Outdoors, an outdoor equipment shop in Dublin’s city centre, has been offering customers the chance to donate €7 to buy a foam mat and foil blanket which will be distributed around Dublin.

The plan was the brainchild of a customer, Barry O’Flanagan, who wanted to buy a number of the blankets himself. After discussions with the shop, it was decided that customers would be able to donate and the shop would order the blankets.

Paul O’Neill from Great Outdoors says that the response has been “amazing”

“The whole aim is get people to do something small for the homeless people around Ireland.

“So far, customers have donate 870-odd blankets. We have them ordered from the UK and the second they come in, Barry will distributed to charities.

“People have donated when they’re spending and James McSweeney Solicitors in Tallaght bought 130 blankets. It’s amazing how many people have pitched in.”

The cost of the donation covers the mat and blanket, VAT and delivery, with O’Neill saying the shop isn’t looking to make money, just to deliver the donations.

“We’re just here as a facilitator. We’re looking to keep it as a donation.”

The store is taking the donations until tomorrow, when they will have to tell their suppliers how many they will need.

Other plans, including buying hats and gloves for homeless people have been discussed.

To donate online, click here.