The 24-year-old, born with a degenerative eye condition called Leber’s congenital amaurosis, has helped deliver more than 300 winter jackets in addition to hats, scarves, gloves and other cold-weather essentials.

He has paid visits to community landmarks such as Stratton Meadows Elementary School and Springs Rescue Mission in recent days, helping to fit and style grateful recipients with donated winter wear.

Crockett, a Paralympic bronze medallist at London 2012 and winner of the world title in Colorado Springs last year, spent his childhood and teenage years shifting between makeshift homes in inner-city Cleveland following the death of his mother when he was eight years old.  

A promising wrestler, his life changed in 2009 following an interview with ESPN, after which he was invited to the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs before taking up judo and moving there full-time.

It is, therefore, particularly poignant for him to be able to give something back for other people, with the "coat drive" an idea he and his friends first conceived two years ago.

“It’s a pretty awesome feeling being able to spread warmth to someone and send the message that the world isn’t so awful," said Crockett, who is now preparing for next year's Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro. 

"There are good people who are willing to help and step outside of their comfort zone and give what they have when they see a need they can fill.

“I can’t remember having that feeling before.

“I grew up stricken with poverty my entire life.

"I understand that homelessness isn’t a matter of making bad decisions or not taking advantage of opportunities.

"It’s a matter of circumstance.

"You end up there because stuff happens, and a lot of the time, it’s out of your control.”