Fundraisers in Windsor brought Fashion with Compassion to the town with a pop-up shop at Christ Church United Reformed Church (URC), to support vulnerable communities around the world.
The shop, opened on 6 July, is to raise money for international development agency Christian Aid.
Revd David Downing, Minister of Christ Church URC, explained: “Getting new clothing while helping people who need a helping hand – this is a great event planned by Windsor URC to raise vital funds for Christian Aid so people around the world can get the boost they need to not just survive, but thrive.
“It’s also a chance to lessen clothing waste which helps the environment, your wardrobe and raises money for charity – we’re proud to be part of this.”
Organiser Lesley Sherwood, Church Secretary, added: “The ‘Fashion with Compassion’ pop up shop was a chance for us to combine our love of fashion with raising vital funds for Christian Aid. This is a new form of fundraising for us and if successful, we will build on this event with many more pop-ups in the future.”
The pop up shop opened for one day only on 6 July from 10.30am-3.30pm and offered a range of pre-loved goods including, womenswear, accessories, shoes, menswear and childrenswear. Along with the opportunity to browse clothing, shoppers also enjoyed coffee and cake.
The shop is the latest in a number of fundraising events run locally by the Windsor Christian Aid Group, including a coffee morning/street collection during the recent Christian Aid Week, an annual morning brunch and participation in the Bix country walk and the Freedom Walk in London, involving various churches in the area.
The money raised will go towards projects Christian Aid is funding, run by local partners in countries around the world.
Christian Aid supporters help millions of people in the most vulnerable communities transform their lives. Last year, the organisation reached 3.3 million people through 275 programmes, from savings and loans associations to farming co-operatives, and climate disaster risk training to healthcare schemes.
This year’s Christian Aid Week, which took place 12-18 May, highlighted Christian Aid’ s work in Burundi, where, alongside local partners, the organisation helps establish Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs).
Thirty-five-year-old Aline Nibogora is the chairperson of a VSLA which supports some 25 families in a remote village, in Makamba Province. Aline escaped an abusive marriage only to find herself on the streets begging for a place to stay.
Her life changed when she went to a three-day, Christian Aid-funded community workshop. With a small start-up loan, Aline began trading avocados and peanuts locally. She’s now a grocery wholesaler and living on her own plot of land where she’s building a home for her family.
To find out more about the work of Christian Aid and how to get involved go to www.christianaid.org.uk.