The reason people have been leaving hats and scarves in public places

Pictures have been appearing all over Twitter.

As Ireland battens down the hatches and takes cover from Storm Emma today, those across the water in the UK have already had to face a few days of the first blast of the Beast from the East. Yes, the serious cold snap has been making its way across to Irish shores overnight and we’re thinking we should take our lead from the folks in Bristol. Across the city hats, scarves and gloves were being tied to lamp posts in public places as part of the annual clothing drive in the city.

I Am Not Lost - 25th Feb 2018 #IAmNotLost #PeopleGivingToPeople #KBW #Homelessness #Homeless #giving #love pic.twitter.com/zj7eScS7TH

— Keep Bristol Warm (@WarmBristol) January 3, 2018

The #KeepBristolWarm initiative has been trending on Twitter in recent days thanks to the cold snap taking hold and while many might think the clothes are lost, they’re there for a very important reason. "It’s really rather cold in Bristol this morning," read one tweet. "Some kind souls have left warm knitwear throughout the city - it’s everywhere. "Proud of my compassionate, collaborative city."

Was rushing through Bristol to get home and out of the cold when I saw the street in front of me was filled with hats, gloves and scarves for those who don’t have a home to rush to. Each with a label: “I am not lost. If you need me take me.” Overwhelmed. #kbw #keepbristolwarm pic.twitter.com/RbgItMHBKp

— Sophie Smith-Holland (@SSmithHolland) February 25, 2018

It’s really rather cold in Bristol this morning. Some kind souls have left warm knitwear throughout the city - it’s everywhere. Proud of my compassionate, collaborative city. Well done #keepbristolwarm. pic.twitter.com/ve500loNE8

— Thom Leggett (@thomleg) February 26, 2018

It’s already 0 degrees in Bristol tonight but along Hotwell Road I spotted these scarves to #keepbristolwarm / #kbw - I absolutely love this city pic.twitter.com/2z15WvmKYW

— Liam Bettinson (@liambettinson_) February 26, 2018

“I am not lost. Please take me if you need me,” read the tags on the items that have been scattered across Bristol. The initiative is also aimed at raising awareness around the homelessness crisis and has spread to other UK cities like Cambridge and Glasgow.

❄️ When the weather is this cold, a simple act of kindness like this can go a long way. ? pic.twitter.com/QGBz5co9Vp

— BBC Radio Bristol (@bbcrb) February 24, 2018