Image: Meg Lustman, Dave Shepherd and Anna Pangbourne (Credit: Ben Gold)
Last week trade charity, the Fashion & Textile Children’s Trust (FTCT) sent personal letters to CEO’s and HR managers of 130 of the UK’s top retailers, with the support of industry leaders Meg Lustman, CEO of Hobbs and chair of FTCT, and Dave Shepherd, COO of Arcadia and trustee of FTCT.
The aim of this year’s campaign is to increase awareness of FTCT’s grant programme that supports the education and wellbeing of children whose parents work in any aspect of UK fashion retailing, manufacturing and textile trade.
FTCT are currently working with BHS, M&S, Hobbs and Next, however, they are keen to reach more companies – big and small – to help ease financial pressure off those families in the industry who have hit hard times.
FTCT director, Anna Pangbourne, said: “It only takes one instance such as illness, disability or bereavement, to put a family in financial hardship. This can have a detrimental effect on their personal lives and performance at work.
“We have grants available to help children with their education and overall wellbeing; these grants act as a bridge to help families during difficult financial times. With the help of FTCT trustees Eric Musgrave, Editor of Drapers, Meg Lustman and David Shepherd, we aim to encourage more retailers to jump on board and work with us to support their employees and their children throughout the UK.”
The charity welcomes contact from all employers who wish to get their company involved. To find out more, simply call the FTCT team on 020 7232 1876 or email: anna@ftct.org.uk