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41k pairs of shoes donated to kids in need

Words by Smiley Team

A British shoe retailer has donated more than 41,000 pairs of children’s shoes to national family charity Home-Start UK in a package of kindness towards parents managing tight budgets.

The shoes have been distributed to hundreds of families across the UK and means that parents supported by Home-Start can enjoy new shoes for their children for free.

Retailer Russell & Bromley approached the charity asking if they would like the shoes, which range in size from infant to adolescent. 

“Families are already benefitting from the impact of this generous philanthropic gift by Russell & Bromley," said Vivien Waterfield, Deputy Chief Executive of Home-Start UK.

"It is a really tough time for parents right now. Families who would otherwise struggle to afford new shoes, or have to purchase on a buy now pay later arrangement, can enjoy seeing their children wearing a new pair of shoes without any worry.”

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Already, 25,000 pairs have been delivered to 16 Home-Starts across the London and the south east. A further 3,000 pairs have been delivered to 17 Home-Starts across Scotland and Northern Ireland. The rest are in the process of being distributed.

A spokesperson from Russell & Bromley, said: “We pride ourselves in the charity relationships we endeavour to nurture and are delighted that we are able to help Home-Start families in this way and make such a positive impact at the start of this new year.”

Supporting Home-Start across the UK

Beginning in 1973 in Leicestershire, there are now more than 180 Home-Starts across the UK, supporting parents facing issues including postnatal depression, isolation, bereavement, coping with twins, financial worries and physical disabilities.

Through a network of trained volunteers, families are matched with a volunteer who visits once a week for two hours to support in whatever way they need – it could be as simple as holding a crying, colicky baby so a mum can shower in peace, accompanying a mum to a toddler group to help her build confidence, supporting parents with a sick child in hospital or helping with advice around managing budgets.

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