Stylist Darren Kennedy shows model Holly Carpenter and BT employee Anne Keirse what frugal fashion you can find in your local charity shop to launch the first ever, all-Ireland, Great BT Charity Shops Challenge with the Irish Cancer Society and Marie Curie Cancer Care. The event sees over 150 BT staff take over the running of a charity shop on Thursday 3^rd October.

On Thursday 3^rd October, 170 BT employees from across the island of Ireland will be swapping their day jobs to volunteer in the first ‘Great BT Charity Shops Challenge’. On the day, 17 teams of BT volunteers will take over the running of 17 charity shops across Ireland (10 Irish Cancer Society shops in the Republic of Ireland and 7 Marie Curie shops in Northern Ireland) to help raise much needed funds for both charities, and at the same time compete against each other to generate the biggest increase in shop takings on the day.

The teams of BT Ireland volunteers have each been assigned to a local branch of the charity shops and from now until takeover day on Thursday 3^rd October will be putting their retail, planning, marketing and selling skills to good use to generate extra stock, raise the profile of the shops locally, attract more volunteers and customers; and ultimately drive increased shop takings and greater awareness of the charities. In addition, they will be trawling through their homes, appealing to friends, and asking work colleagues for their unwanted clothes, shoes and bric-a-brac to find the best stock available to sell.

Paul Hughes, Irish Cancer Society Shops manager said “We are delighted that BT is on board to support our shops. We are always looking for ways to raise awareness of our charity shops and to spread the word about the great value and fashion available there, particularly at this time when we have seen donations to our shops reduce significantly. We need more people to shop, donate and volunteer and this initiative by BT will certainly help on all these fronts by helping us raise awareness of what our shops actually offer. By generating much needed stock and equally importantly encouraging people to donate their time. We hope that everyone visits their local shop on takeover day and bags themselves a bargain.”

Peter Morris, Corporate Services Director, BT said; “BT is committed to making a positive impact in the communities in which we operate and we have a long and proud record of fundraising, volunteering and support. Last year alone BT Ireland employees gave back almost 13,000 hours of their time, worth €500,000, to causes that help to improve lives. As part of our recently launched Better Future programme our volunteering teams have been involved with some brilliant community challenges and we are excited to work with the Irish Cancer Society and Marie Curie Cancer Care to show our support, in a very practical way, for two very important charities.” 

Remember our charity shops ~ Volunteer ~ Shop ~ Donate.  Visit www.cancer.ie/shops