Laura Whitmore is taking part in TK Maxx’s Give Up Clothes for Good campaign, Ireland’s largest clothing collection campaign to raise money for Enable Ireland. The initiative helps transform pre-loved quality clothes, accessories and homeware into funds to support children with disabilities and their families across Ireland.

Following the COVID-19 crisis, many people will have had a much-needed clear-out having had extra time at home. The Give Up Clothes for Good campaign will encourage people to generously donate these pre-loved clothing, accessories and homeware items by dropping them off at their local TK Maxx store. TK Maxx will then ensure they safely reach Enable Ireland shops so they can be sold on and get a second life.                                     

Laura said: “Give Up Clothes for Good is such an incredible initiative and this will be my third year getting involved. After being in lockdown for so long, many of us will have been lounging in nothing but our PJ’s and sportswear, so there will be thousands of pre-loved clothes just sitting in our wardrobes that could go to better use and raise money to support children and young people with disabilities. A tidy cupboard also means a tidy mind, so I would urge people to dig out their clothes and give them to this great cause”.

TK Maxx and Enable Ireland have been working together since 1997, raising over €3.6 million to support children and young people with disabilities in Ireland. With over 40 locations in 15 counties, Enable Ireland’s expert teams work with individuals and their families to develop a plan for each life stage. People can donate a bag of good quality clean clothing, shoes, accessories, cutlery, collectables and antiques, CDs and DVDs at special donation points in any TK Maxx store. Each bag of donated items could raise up to €20 for Enable Ireland when sold in their shops.

The Give Up Clothes for Good campaign also provides impressive environmental benefits through the re-use and recycling of goods and diverting them from landfill. To date, there have been over 250,000 bags of clothing and household goods collected since the initiative began. This amounts to over 1,500 tonnes of pre-loved items that have been given a second life, which equates to a saving of over 33,000 tonnes of carbon emissions.

Laura’s picture is taken by Jason Bell