Rochdale-based Footasylum, one of the leading retailers of fashion streetwear and sportswear in the UK, has been working hard during the festive period to support the efforts of Wood Street Mission, a children’s charity helping children and families living on a low income in Manchester and Salford.
Footasylum teams from across the business have worked together to collect over 850 toys, all of which have been donated to Wood Street Mission, which will arrange for families in need to choose gifts to give to their children.
The donations were made by staff from across the business, including those working in head office, in its stores across the UK, and in the Company’s distribution centre, which also boxed and stored the gifts. Footasylum itself donated large amounts of sample stock, while a series of Company-wide raffles were held to raise money, with which further gifts to be donated were then purchased.
A number of the Company’s business partners and suppliers also contributed, including AKS, Bessages, Docutech, DPD, Duo, Impala Transport, Paragon Meed, Parr, PHS, Red Rose Packaging, Retail Fire, Trigen Electricals, and Viking. In an effort to ensure suitable gifts were available to all recipients, there was a huge variety in the toys gathered – from science kits to make-up to Footasylum clothing.
Elizabeth King, HR Business Partner at Footasylum, commented:
“Every year at Christmas, Wood Street Mission supports families across Manchester to have something special to open at Christmas, and we at Footasylum wanted to do our bit to help these efforts. I am so proud of all our teams, who have collaborated to collect items, raise money and come together to donate over 850 gifts – because every child deserves a magical Christmas.”
Graeme Wright, HR Business Partner at Footasylum, commented:
“I was completely overwhelmed by the generosity of our Footasylum colleagues and their friends and family. I could never have imagined the scale of what could be achieved, especially amidst a cost-of-living crisis, where everyone is finding it harder. It just goes to show the immense kindness and thoughtfulness of all involved, digging deep to give back to those who need it most. I am very proud to have been involved.”
Des Lynch, Chief Executive at Wood Street Mission, commented:
“We are incredibly grateful to all at Footasylum for their amazing generosity in supporting our Christmas Appeal. This kind of donation makes a tangible difference to our efforts, and the quality and variety of the toy donations massively improves the Christmas experience for the families that we are helping. Thanks to the Footasylum team, there will be hundreds more smiles on Christmas Day as children open their gifts.”
