Graduates urge people to declutter wardrobe in support of NHS stuff

Recent Jewish graduates were this week behind an innovative new fundraising initiative to support NHS staff through the pandemic, launching a website whereby good quality second-hand clothes donations are sold to raise money.

London-based Sally Patterson and Glaswegian Lucy Clumpas, who are both Jewish, teamed up with friend Bella Stratton to launch Closet19, an online platform which “encourages people to declutter their wardrobes and support the NHS”.

Users upload their unwanted, good quality clothing items and others buy them, with the payment going straight to NHS Charities Together, resulting in what the trio said was “a win-win for sellers and buyers,” as well as helping the environment.

Using the online platform ShareTribe, the founders say lets people who are social distancing to contribute to the Covid-19 response effort.

“It’s really easy to feel helpless at the moment and not know how to help,” said Patterson, who set up her own feminist fashion line while studying at Bristol. “This lets anyone sitting at home contribute, simply by clearing out their wardrobe.”

Clumpas said: “I’ve used clothing re-selling sites ever since I delved into the murky world of fast fashion. Even in this time of crisis this industry shows no signs of slowing down. Closet19 is a guilt free way for people across the UK to get their shopping-fix ethically all whilst raising money for an important cause.”