Local people asked to help Notts-based national shoe charity
People in the East Midlands are being asked to step up and support a month-long national campaign to raise awareness about footwear poverty in the UK and abroad.
The STEPTEMBER campaign, run by Notts-based Shoe Aid UK, aims to bring shoe poverty into sharp focus through a series of SHOESDAYS.
Each Tuesday in September, people are encouraged to join in by wearing no shoes or odd shoes or something similar, to highlight the importance of having 'fit for purpose' footwear.
Andy Hughes, CEO of the charity since 2020, said: “You can be as creative as you like, bake a cake in the shape of a shoe or lots of little cakes or biscuits in the shapes of shoes. Whatever creative idea you come up with, what we are asking is for you to show your support for Shoe Aid as we tackle footwear poverty here in the UK and abroad.
“From as little as a £1 donation, we can supply a suitable and fit for purpose piece of footwear to help someone to find a new job, for everyday general wear and use, to take part in sport or a pair of work boots.
“Poverty is neither part-time, full-time, volunteer, nor just a certain day of the week. Soon, children will be returning to school, some of them will not have a suitable pair of shoes to wear or a pair of trainers to take part in physical activity.”
Shoe Aid is already STEPPING UP to help schools throughout the country, providing suitable footwear for children whose families cannot afford school shoes for their child.
At least 280,000 homeless people (10,000 living on the streets) in the UK have no shoes or shoes that are falling to pieces.
Over 2 million shoes are thrown into landfill every week. On average, one pair of shoes takes upwards of one thousand years to biodegrade (synthetic fibres and textiles.) Shoe Aid is helping to avoid an environmental disaster for shoe manufacturers and distributors.
A Nottingham City social worker said: “Shoe Aid was an invaluable service over winter when my homeless clients needed hardwearing footwear. Andy sourced a large number of walking boots, which were so greatly appreciated by our service users. We are deeply aware of the barriers our beneficiaries face, whether that's financial hardship, housing instability or discrimination and we tailor our support to meet their needs.”
The charity has provided education to tens of thousands of people and hundreds of organisations of recycling and repurposing footwear, whilst donating over 100,000 items of footwear in England, Scotland and Wales last year.
Andy said: “Shoe Aid has volunteers who help sort and clean donated footwear in readiness. However, to help more people and organisations – Shoe Aid needs to operate ‘Full Time’ to meet the needs and demands of men, women, children, and families who do not have suitable footwear to part in everyday life.
“Organising and taking part in events on a Tuesday in September will help Shoe Aid raise vital funds to combat footwear poverty. Our service is free, however, running Shoe Aid is not. Every item of footwear that Shoe Aid collects and donates can change lives, not just now but in the future too.”
“If you or your company, school, college or university, community enterprise would like to STEP UP for Shoe Aid, we would love you to get in touch, organise a collection or donate your surplus or returned stock.”
He added: “Ultimately, Shoe Aid supports people who are excluded, struggling and often overlooked and we do it in a way that restores dignity, reduces shame and gives people something practical and life changing. Footwear may seem simple, but for those we support, it’s a gateway to health, confidence, education and connection.”
Locally, donations can be dropped off at: Shoe Aid QH, in Beech Avenue, New Basford; Wards Shoes in King Street, Belper and Matlock Street, Bakewell; and Colourful Soles, in Church Street, Lutterworth; or by contacting Andy at: [email protected] or on 07511 983508.
Cash donations are still needed to support the work of the charity. Visit: paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=RTYTLZN7PS9B8&source=url&ssrt=1755526414705
More about Shoe Aid can be found here: shoeaid.co.uk