Here are some of the ways your business can support The Fashion & Textile Children’s Trust, which in turn supports the children of fashion and textile workers.

If your business is considering ways to be more charitable this year, look no further, we have the perfect suggestion for you. The Fashion & Textile Children’s Trust is the trade charity for the UK fashion and textile industry, supporting the children of fashion and textile workers.

The FTCT gives grants to help parents and carers who work in fashion and textiles, provide essential items for their children. Their work has been a vital support for hundreds of families facing financial difficulties, both during the pandemic and their work is just as important today.

If you’re concerned supporting the FTCT (or any charity) would take a lot of time and effort, we have listed some simple ways you can get started, while also considering the benefits to your business too.

Donating sales

Donating a percentage of sales from your product offers a simple way of supporting the FTCT, while also demonstrating to customers that you offer community support alongside your business. A number of UK brands already support the charity like this including UK cashmere brand Brora which donated a percentage of sales from their facemasks range during the pandemic. Regular donor Monty & Co, a sustainable childrenswear brand, donates 10% from sales of their preloved range.

Leigh Montague, Monty & Co Founder commented, “I am very proud to support the Fashion & Textile Children’s Trust through donations via our Loved initiative. The industry continues to struggle and it would be wonderful if more UK based companies could work with this amazing charity.”

Events

Using your customer or trade events to fundraise for FTCT is a great way to add charitable giving easily, while enhancing the PR possibilities of your event. By publicising how your event will support your charity partner, you can increase your PR with newsworthy content that engages both existing customers and prospects.

John Hoener and First Friday donate 20% of the fee from their ‘Recipes in Retail’ training course to support FTCT, while Retail Outside In donates download fees from recordings of their online seminars.

Jane Rome, Retail Outside In comments, “We believe no fashion or textile family should struggle financially to meet their child’s basic needs and are very happy to support FTCT during these precarious times.”

Corporate Donations

Making one off or annual donations from your company’s profits can give a real boost to the FTCT. Regular donors include the TSA (Textile Services Association) and the National Laundry Group, both of whom have been generous supporters of the FTCT over the years. New supporters, nursery and childrenswear agency The Nest, donates 1% of their profits to the FTCT and two other charities.

Nicola Perring, Founder of The Nest commented, “We are passionate about supporting families and protecting the environment for future generations. Every parents wants to provide for their children and it is a huge impact if they can’t, that’s why we choose to support the FTCT.”

Workplace Fundraising

Many employees are keen to get involved in charities but find that their home lives and family schedules are too busy. Company fundraising events can be great morale boosters, plus teambuilding events on charitable projects help to motivate and inspire staff. From cake sales and quiz nights to sample sales and raffles, there are plenty of in-house events you can organise to support the FTCT.

The benefits your business will gain by supporting the FTCT are almost endless. Regardless of your size or location, by supporting the FTCT you can be confident that your donations will be helping to make a real impact to children and families in our industry.

To help you get your partnership off the ground and contact anna@ftct.org.uk or connect with Anna on LinkedIn.

VISIT THE FTCT WEBSITE