Sustainable Fashion Week lands at Marie Curie Swansea store

The UK’s leading end of life charity shop on The Kingsway, Swansea will turn into the last chance” store for three months from September 26 – offering up good quality pieces for as little as 20p per item.

These are wearable, good-quality items that have completed their standard sales cycle in Marie Curie shops and are being offered at heavily reduced prices to give them a final chance to be reused.

The pop-up store will sell women and men’s coats and jackets, priced at £1, with multibuy deals across children’s, books, media and homeware, plus mystery bags and 'fill a bag' options for £3 each.

Nicola Reynolds, Marie Curie Retail District Manager for Wales, said: “With Swansea being a student city, we thought this would be the perfect location to try our new pop up last chance store.

“We get a minimal amount for these items from recycling merchants, and it isn’t a system that is going to remain viable for much longer, so we’re trying something different by selling that stock exclusively at this store.

“Sustainable Fashion Week seemed the perfect time to trial this pop-up and we’d encourage all Swansea residents – from students to pensioners – to pop along to see what we have on offer.”

Nicola adds: “Charity shops as a whole have seen a drop in donations following the impact of second hand selling apps.

“For Marie Curie Cymru, in some areas, we have seen not only a decline in donations, but also a decline in the quality of donations.

“While some quality donations are still coming through, we understand people do want to earn money from the goods they no longer need. There are fewer donations from younger people too, who we understand do use second hand sales and clothes swap parties to swap their items with others.

“We are very grateful to loyal supporters who always donate to our shops.

“However, the reduction in quality and number of donations has an impact on our ability as a charity to fundraise to ensure we can continue to provide expert hospice care and support to people with an illness they are likely to die from.

“Our retail teams are full of ideas to promote and encourage younger people to come into charity shops, and we will continue to innovate to ensure people are passionate about donating to our cause.

“Our doors will be open to welcome everyone from the local and surrounding communities in to see what stock we have to offer and hear more about the work Marie Curie does.”

Marie Curie is the UK’s leading end of life charity and provides expert care for people with any illness they are likely to die from, and support for their family and friends, at home, in the community and in its hospices.. It is the largest charity funder of palliative and end of life care research in the UK, and campaigns to ensure everyone has a good end of life experience.

If you would like to donate or volunteer at the store, please visit the team at 397 The Kingsway, Swansea, during opening hours.

ENDS Notes to editor:
For further information please contact Rachel Moses-Lloyd, Regional PR Lead, Rachel.moses-lloyd@mariecurie.org.uk 07730617843

Or contact the Marie Curie Press Office: media@mariecurie.org.uk / 0845 073 8699.

Please note, Marie Curie is not a cancer charity but the UK’s leading ‘end of life charity’. We care for people with any illness they are likely to die from including Alzheimer’s (and other forms of dementia), heart, liver, kidney and lung disease, motor neurone disease, Parkinson’s, and advanced cancer.

About Marie Curie Marie Curie is the UK’s leading end of life charity.

The charity provides expert end of life care for people with any illness they are likely to die from, and support for their family and friends, in our hospices and where they live. It is the largest charity funder of palliative and end of life care research in the UK, and campaigns to ensure everyone has a good end of life experience. Whatever the illness, we’re with you to the end.

If you’re living with a terminal illness or have been affected by dying, death and bereavement, Marie Curie can help. Visit mariecurie.org.uk or call the free Marie Curie Support Line on 0800 090 2309.

Whatever the illness, wherever you are, Marie Curie is with you to the end.