A “suspended coffee” scheme has been launched in Aberdeen to give hot drinks to the homeless this winter.
The Rotaract Club of Aberdeen has joined forces with Aberdeen Cyrenians to bring the charitable venture, which first started in Naples, to the Granite City.
Organisers are asking cafes and restaurants around Aberdeen to get their customers to buy a coffee or other hot drink for a homeless person.
Once the drink has been pre-purchased, a homeless person can then claim it with a voucher given to them by the Aberdeen Cyrenians.
Four businesses have already signed up to the scheme, with the beach ASDA cafe, The Breadmaker on Rosemount viaduct, Casa Di Gelato on King Street and Triple Kirks on Schoolhill, all lending their support.
Rachel Sanders, a fundraising officer at the Aberdeen Cyrenians said: “The Rotaract approached us with the idea of getting involved with a suspended coffee scheme and we were of course delighted to get involved, especially with winter fast approaching.
“On paper, buying someone a coffee is a small gesture but the reality is that it could make a massive difference to someone in the coming months.
“We’d encourage anyone, if they can, to get involved with this anonymous act of charity.”
Donald Anderson, the chief executive of The Bread Maker, one of the four businesses already taking part in the scheme, said: “I see it as being a wonderful thing.
“What makes this different is that it also provides something tangible to see for the people donating.
“They know that if they put down £2 for a coffee then it’s going directly to an underprivileged or homeless person, because if they hang around long enough they’ll be able to see them come in and claim it.”