Businessman and philanthropist Peter Coates has made a huge personal donation to a local charity which supports vulnerable families in Stoke-on-Trent and beyond.

The bet365 co-founder and Stoke City chairman gifted £25,000 this week to the Nappy Project, which provides nappies, food, clothing and other essential items for families in dire straits.

Stoke City players have in the past donated to the charity and Mr Coates is said to have been in close contact with its founder, Hayley Jones, for some time.

Nappy Project founder Hayley Jones

Founder Hayley said: "I'm over the moon. It's not only having the support of somebody so well known locally but it's also that he's spoken with us in depth about what we do and he understands the importance of what we do.

"We've met with him many times and he's well aware of who we help and we do for people - especially during the pandemic.

"It's just amazing having that sort of support and it's such an injection of cash it makes quite a difference because we are constantly worrying how we are going to pay our electricity bills - it's just a massive help for us."

Peter Coates... appreciative
Peter Coates

Mr Coates said: "I think she's doing a remarkable job. I'm impressed with what they're doing and the way they do it. Like I said, she's just doing a remarkable job and I just wanted to give her some support."

A spokesman for the Nappy Project added: "Peter Coates has given so much to Stoke-on-Trent where he was born and raised and we are so pleased that he has decided to support the Nappy Project.

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"We have been helping the community for over two years but we have increased our support by over 200 per cent during the lockdown and we have worked every day during the crisis making hundreds of deliveries to vulnerable families."

Since the coronavirus crisis began the project has been helping families from the north east of England to the south coast and have also enlisted a team of bikers to deliver products locally.

Nappy Project volunteers from left, Matthew Ward, Richard Johnson, Caroline Wilshaw, Hayley Jones, Ann Harvey, Mark McDonald, Paul Shipstone and Gary Binns

The Nappy Project is based out of Hanley's All Saints Church hall in Leek Road near Kempthorne Road. The charity can best be helped by contacting its Facebook page here. The contact number is 07414 172 329.

Alternatively you can donate straight into their bank account: 

Sort Code: 309392

Account Number: 65327360