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John Lewis partnership has announced it has donated nearly 5000 items of warm clothing to families in need as the UK’s temperatures continue to drop.
The clothing will be distributed through local Home-Starts across ten key locations in the UK, where many vulnerable communities have been affected most during the pandemic.
John Lewis stated it will donate clothing from its babywear, childrenswear, womenswear and menswear product ranges to help keep families stay warm during the third and coldest lockdown.
The support is part of the John Lewis Partnership’s Give a Little Love campaign which aims to make a lasting difference to some of those hit hardest during the last year.
Since the pandemic started, FareShare has had to double the amount of food it distributes to meet the rising demand. Home-Start continues to see families facing isolation and struggling to provide basic needs such as heating and clothing.
The Give a Little Love campaign has already raised over £3m for its long term charity partners FareShare, Home-Start and local community groups, with a further £2m pledged last month.
Waitrose and John Lewis aim to support struggling families impacted by the pandemic with a raft of initiatives designed to provide nutrition, warmth and comfort. The partnership will extend its support by pooling the expertise and passion of Partners, resources, networks and time to meet the specific needs of the most vulnerable in society.
Peter Grigg, chief executive, Home-Start UK, said: “The extended lockdown continues to place great pressure on families and the cold weather brings additional challenges in terms of the costs of keeping warm and the chances to get outside to exercise and play – such crucial parts of childhood.
Pippa Wicks, executive director, John Lewis, added that this is “undeniably one of the most challenging periods” of the pandemic so far.
She said: “As the impact is felt more deeply across society, we know that now is not the time to take our foot off the pedal in supporting families who need immediate and practical support.”
