06:00, 22 October 2024
Words by Abi Scaife, Staff Writer, London
Known for her social media where she breaks down the stigma of shopping secondhand, Jen Graham - aka Charity Shop Girl - is heading into the Sahara for a daunting fundraising challenge.
The challenge will see Jen trekking through the Sahara desert for 100 kilometres (around 60 miles), to raise money for the Children’s Air Ambulance charity. The CAA receives no government funding but provides life-saving services for critically sick children in the UK.
"One of my goals was always to be an ambassador for a charity,” Jen tells Smiley News. “[The Children’s Air Ambulance] asked me pretty much straight away. I love everything they are about... this is definitely something that I want to help and contribute towards."
When Jen first began Charity Shop Girl, the Children’s Air Ambulance was a huge supporter of her content, building a relationship that has lasted years. As their ambassador, she works incredibly hard to raise not just awareness of the work that they do, but funds so they can continue doing it.
"People don't realise how much charity retail contributes to fundraising,” explains Jen. “Something as little as spending five pounds in a Children's Air Ambulance shop puts cannulas on an air ambulance."
Jen has a deep love of fashion and clothing, but sources her clothing mainly from charity shops - something she encourages others to do, too.
"People assumed years ago [that] charity shops were just full of old, musty clothes... but people message me daily saying, 'I only shop in charity shops now because of you’,” says Jen.
"During COVID, people realized... we just wanted our families to be healthy. We don't have to spend all this money on clothes that hang in our wardrobes."
The great thing about charity shopping is you can find some amazing gems for significantly cheaper than the retail price; plus, any cash you do spend goes to a good cause.
"Charity shops are great for charity retail and great for finding your own style,” says Jen. “Even if you don’t want to buy clothes, you can get kids' toys, homeware, gifts, furniture... [they’re] incredible places to go and spend a day."
There’s something special about giving back; it fills your cup in a way that other things just don’t. It feels good to know you’re helping someone else, or contributing to a charity desperately in need of donations.
"I wanted this year to be me challenging myself and doing things out of my comfort zone,” says Jen. “It's a personal journey, but also I'm doing it for The Children’s Air Ambulance.”
Jen’s 100km trek across the Sahara Desert will take place between the 2nd and 9th of November when she will join a group of others, all fundraising for charities they love.
"I've got some incredible followers across social media,” says Jen. “They've [already] helped me reach my fundraising goal of £2,500."
The £2,500 Jen has already raised for the Children’s Air Ambulance will go a long way towards helping the team transport vulnerable children across the country. Every penny counts when it comes to charity work - something Jen well knows from running Charity Shop Girl.
“I'm hoping to make a little bit more … I've also been selling a couple of my bits on Vinted and putting the money to donate towards it as well,” adds Jen.
Just £5 can provide a cannula; £10 can pay towards a pressure dressing to control bleeding, while £25 pays for ear defenders to protect the children on board.
You can donate to Jen’s JustGiving page by following this link.
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
Create. Create is the UK's leading charity empowering lives, reducing isolation and enhancing wellbeing through the creative arts. Support them here.
Save The Children UK. Save the Children is a UK charity for children that works in over 100 countries to make sure children are fed, learning and treated fairly. Learn more here.
Barnardo’s. This is a children's charity that protects and supports children and young people in the UK who need them. Find out more here.
This article aligns with the UN SDG Good Health and Wellbeing and Partnerships for the Goals.
