Champions join the Suit Amnesty cause
Suit Champions, who will help ensure Thrive’s Birmingham Suit Amnesty builds on last year’s success, are pledging their support.
The volunteers are needed to help co-ordinate the donations of unwanted suits in their own offices and workplaces on the run-up to the Amnesty session on Friday, October 10, in Birmingham’s Town Hall.
Men and women who have grown tired or grown out of suits or have updated to this year’s fashion are being urged to donate their suits to the cause.
Last year’s ‘amnesty’ collected 1,000 suits and this year the group are hoping to collect a similar amount that will be distributed to charities.
The initiative is spearheaded by Graham Nicoll, regional centre head at Barclays Wealth in Birmingham and Fidelis Hynam, now a fund-raiser at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
Thrive’s Birmingham Suit Amnesty relies heavily on the support of local businesses and the volunteer suit ‘champions’ help proves invaluable.
Graham said: “The champions are able to spread the word around their workplace and co-ordinate the collection of suits.
‘‘The system worked well last year and it would be great to hear from anyone keen to take on this role in their company this year.”
Mailwash Dry Cleaning at Broadway Plaza has once again agreed to support the Amnesty – last year it cleaned nearly 1,000 suits.
This year the dry cleaners are running a special offer for suits to be cleaned on the run up to the day. It will cost £5 for a suit to be cleaned for the amnesty rather than £11 per suit.
Graham explained: “The 2007 event was very successful and again we are asking people to donate their suits whatever size or shape by bringing them to the Town Hall on October 10 between 7.30am and 4.30pm.
‘‘Last year a lot of time, money and effort was spent on dry cleaning the suits so this year we are asking people to get suits cleaned before they bring them in or consider making a donation to help cover costs.”
Suit donations can be dropped off at the Town Hall on October 10.
Anyone who can help support the Thrive suit amnesty should get in touch with graham.nicholl@barclayswealth.com or 0777 555 4215 or contact Thrive writer Annie Roberts on email: annr@dircon.co.uk
Anyone wishing to be a company suit champion should get in touch withgraham.nicholl@barclayswealth.com or 0777 555 4215.
Charities who feel they could use the suits to benefit individuals they support should contact: Fidelis Hynam on 0121 333 8539 or 0792 059 3577.
