Express & Star

Bags of clothing gifted to families for free

Bags full of children's clothes and warm winter woollies have been gifted to people in need.

Published
ictured front, L-R: Debbie Cartwright, Luke Parker-Simms and Shevonne Hodson-Walker along with volunteers as Kean Styles Burntwood team up with Tags and Rags

The team at Burntwood's Kean Styles united with Hednesford's Tags and Rags to host a clothing drive for families and rough sleepers.

It was the first time both stores came together to encourage people across its communities to stuff their bags with clothing for free.

Co-owner of Kean Styles Angela Brady said: "It went fantastic, we had a great response and a great turn out.

"Christmas is a tough time for everybody, we all have our own little ups and downs.

"People now have clothing to carry them through a few weeks or months and in turn, it will free up money for something else.

"As a parent, I totally understand the costs involved with having children, and the struggles parents can face to make sure their have the latest trends."

About 100 people packed into Cannock Road's Emmanuel Church to rummage through the piles of children's clothing donated to the cause by nearby Cash for Clothes.

Homeless charities and organisations were also called on to grab coats and jackets for people needing to keep warm this winter.

Mother-of-10 Miss Brady said there are now hopes to make the clothing drive a regular event, with plans to host it within different locations across Staffordshire.

She added: "We met people that we already knew and we had people come who we had never seen before. It was such a successful event, for something that we put together at the very last minute - it was kind of a spur of the moment thing.

"So with a bit of time and better organisation, we would definitely do it again."

Sankey's Corner store Kean Styles currently sells pre-loved clothes, including high street brands, for just £1.

Miss Brady said: "Through running the shop, we have found that people enjoy buying things at £1. We have had great reviews and people are travelling in to us from Birmingham, and even London.

"It's great for the local community and other businesses as well. Hopefully it's given them a little bit of a boost."

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