UKFT and its charity partner the Fashion & Textile Children’s Trust (FTCT) are collaborating this December on a 12 Days of Christmas Prize Draw to raise essential funds aimed at supporting vulnerable families from across the UK fashion and textile industry. Continue reading to find out more.

The UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT) and its charity partner the Fashion & Textile Children’s Trust (FTCT) are raising essential funds to support families in our industry this Winter, with a 12 Days of Christmas Prize Draw. New prizes will be unveiled each day from Monday 2 December 2024 to Friday 13 December 2024, thanks to generous donations from UKFT members and partners.

Tickets are £10 each, and entrants will be able to buy a ticket for their chosen prize until 15 December 2024. The draw will take place on Monday 16 December 2024 and winners will be contacted directly. All proceeds will go to supporting industry families.

“FTCT is a fantastic charity,” said Adam Mansell, UKFT CEO. “They do amazing work with people in the fashion and textile sector. As life gets harder for some, we are proud to partner with FTCT to help the children of those in our industry.”

This is the second year in a row that UKFT and FTCT have collaborated on a Christmas Prize Draw, as this is a challenging time in the year for many families in the UK fashion and textile sector.

FTCT explains: “For families already struggling to make ends meet, the winter brings extra financial pressure, leaving many unable to cope with the rising costs of keeping their children warm. As temperatures drop, hundreds of parents turn to FTCT, worried they won’t be able to provide their children with the essentials needed to stay warm during the winter months.

“In a recent FTCT survey, 85% of parents expressed deep concern about keeping their children warm this winter. Many reported being unable to afford warm clothes and bedding as rising bills continue to take priority.”

FTCT is aiming to raise £10,000 this December to support vulnerable families, as part of its annual Winter appeal. This would be enough to fund 200 bedding bundles or 100 warm clothing packs. UKFT is delighted to be able to contribute to the appeal through the UKFT x FTCT 12 Days of Christmas Prize Draw.

Anna Pangbourne, CEO of FTCT, said: “Every child deserves warmth, safety, and comfort. We’ve seen first-hand how cosy bedding, warm coats, and even working cookers can transform a child’s wellbeing, but far too many are going without this winter.”

We encourage all who can to participate in the UKFT x FTCT 12 Days of Christmas Prize Draw, for a chance to win a prize and help support families in a time of need.

Last year’s prizes included items from UKFT members and partners Johnstons of Elgin, Sabina Savage, Mimi Berry, Failsworth, Eribé, Lochcarron, Bronte by Moon, Irregular Sleep Pattern, Joshua Ellis, Ince Umbrellas, Firehorse, Peregrine, and Witty Point.

Promote FTCT at your workplace

Promoting FTCT within your workplace can be highly beneficial to industry families, as it can help bring awareness to the grant opportunities available to those in need. The promotion can take the shape of flyers posted on your noticeboards, multi-site campaigns or fundraising events. UKFT members LLUK and the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) recently organised fundraising events to support FTCT.

To start promoting FTCT at your workplace, contact FTCT CEO Anna Pangbourne at anna@ftct.org.uk

 GET INVOLVED

Apply for a grant

The Trust helps parents who are facing financial hardship due to sudden loss of income, challenging circumstances at home or ongoing health issues.

Grant criteria:

• Parents or carers of children (aged 0- 18 years)
• Who work OR have worked in the UK fashion and textile industry for at least one year within the last nine years
• AND meet FTCT’s financial hardship criteria

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