Charity ‘gobsmacked’ by £5k designer clothes donation

A HOMELESSNESS charity has been left “gobsmacked” by an anonymous donation of £5,000 of designer clothes.

The £5,000 donation of designer clothes to Shelter Scotland has left staff "gobsmacked". Picture: Neil Hanna

Staff and volunteers at Shelter Scotland’s shop on Union Street, Aberdeen, were amazed when boxes of suits, shirts, jumpers and shoes – featuring brands such as Vivienne Westwood, Peter Van Holland and Hope and Glory – were handed in.

All of the items are said to be in “mint” condition and many have never been worn and still have their original price tags on.

Shelter said the total value of the donation is estimated to be more than £5,000. The clothes will now be sold at the shop at reduced prices to raise money to support homeless people.

The donation includes Energie boots worth £120, Orican leather belts originally sold for £65 and Obvious and Peter Van Holland suits worth up to £350.

Shop manager Kylie Cooney said: “We’ve been gobsmacked by this generous donation and can’t thank whoever donated it enough.

“We’re humbled that they chose to donate to Shelter ­Scotland and want them to know that every penny we raise from selling these items will go towards helping households facing homelessness and bad housing here in Aberdeen and across the whole of Scotland.”

In Aberdeen alone there were 1,282 homelessness applications last year, Shelter said.

Ms Cooney added: “While this generous donation will go a long way to make a difference to families and individuals facing housing crisis, we are always in desperate need of donations to help raise funds.

“The people of Aberdeen have shown their support for Shelter Scotland time and again and we’re urging locals to continue to back us as we work to help more people who are facing the human tragedy of homelessness.

“We urge local people to search through their wardrobes, cupboards and attics and drop in to the shop with their pre-loved goods.

“Your donations don’t have to have a designer label; whether they’re as good as new or have seen better days – all donations are welcome.

“It costs just £10 for one of our expert advisers to help a family or individual at risk of losing their home – we can raise that money by selling an unwanted dress or pair of shoes.”