Press Release
7th September 2005
Announcing the Launch of Shoes4MyShoes, a new shoe recycling programme for MS in the UK
The MyShoes campaign, set up to raise money to fight Multiple Sclerosis (MS), is launching from October 2005 a new shoe recycling programme.
Shoes4MyShoes is calling on all shoe and fashion lovers to empty out their cupboards of new or hardly worn shoes and to donate them to the campaign.
Celebrities, such as Jodie Kidd, Claudia Schiffer, Ricky Gervais, Davina McCall and Erin O’Connor, as well as shoe designers Jimmy Choo, Rupert Sanderson and Patrick Cox, have already given their support to the MyShoes campaign by donating their never or hardly worn footwear.
Working with the eBay facilitator Auctioning4Good, three pairs of shoes or more (or a box full - up to 30 kilos in weight!) can be collected free of charge from any home or office in the UK by calling 0207 371 6644. Shoes will be collected by DHL and will be auctioned on the new Shoes4MyShoes Shop on the internet auction site eBay.
The Shoes4MyShoes eBay shop works like a virtual charity shop. Instead of offering the donated shoes to local shoppers, Shoes 4 MyShoes will reach millions of potential buyers around the world. Buyers will know they are purchasing not only a great pair of shoes, but are also supporting an important cause.
Monies raised from Shoes4MyShoes donations will go directly to the two leading MS charities: the MS Society and the MS Trust. Funds raised will be used to continue the search for the cure of MS, a disabling disease that affects around 1 in 1200 women in the UK. Funds raised will also go towards specialist nursing programmes.
How to support Shoes4MyShoes by giving?
Simply box together three or more pairs of new or hardly worn shoes and call 0207 371 6644 to arrange a suitable collection time from either a home address or office address. Women living in Central London can drop their donations off at auctioning4u.co.uk shops in Kensington, Notting Hill and Fulham. (see notes to editor for address details)
The Shoes4MyShoes programme will be an on-going fundraising initiative, therefore the MyShoes campaign is urging people to think about them every time they move, have a clear out or just need to make space for the new seasons footwear.
How to support Shoes4MyShoes by buying?
Treat yourself to some new footwear by logging onto www.myshoes.org.uk to get yourself a designer or fashion footwear treat and raise money for MS at the same time.
- Ends -
Notes to Editors
The types of shoe brands we are hoping to have donated
Good condition designer shoes such as: Annello & Davide, Alexander McQueen, Channel, Christian Dior, Diesel, Donna Karan, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Ferragamo, Georgina Goodman, Gina, Gucci, Guess, Hogan, Jimmy Choo, Luis Vuitton, Manolo Blahnik , Marc Jacobs, Max Mara, Miu Miu, Olivia Morris, Paul Smith, Prada, Pucci, Roberto Cavalli, Robert Clergerie, Rupert Sanderson, Sergio Rossi, Stuart Weitzman, Tods, Versace,Yves Saint Laurent
Or pairs from great High Street shops like: Bertie, Carvela, Faith, Hobbs, Jigsaw, Karen Millen, K.G. Geiger, L.K.Bennett, Office, Pied a Terre, Russell & Bromley.
About MS
Multiple sclerosis is the single most disabling neurological condition diagnosed in young adults. It is usually diagnosed between the ages of 25 and 35. In the UK around 1 in every 1200 women and one in every 2400 men are affected. Symptoms include, numbness, eyesight problems, difficulty with walking and balance, cognitive and continence issues. Everyone diagnosed with MS will face a lifetime of uncertainty.
About MyShoes
The MyShoes Campaign To Fight MS uses shoes and shoe related imagery to raise awareness of the incidence of MS in younger people, particularly women. Funds raised go directly to the MS Society and the MS Trust.
Websites: www.myshoes.org.uk, www.mssociety.org.uk and www.mstrust.org.uk
About Auctioning4good
Auctioning4good is the charity division of Auctioning4u, UK’s largest chain of eBay drop-off shops. Auctioning4good uses eBay to bring high value items to a worldwide marketplace. Working with MyShoes, they photograph, describe, place shoes for auction on eBay, and dispatch the shoes to lucky bidders worldwide. Website: www.auctioning4u.co.uk
Drop off Locations for Central London/ auctioning4u.co.uk shops;
Kensington/Olympia, 118 Blyth Road, London W14 0ND, Tel 020 7371 3715
Opening Times: Monday – Saturday 10:00 – 19:00
Notting Hill 1, 188 Kensington Church Street, London W8 4DP, Tel 020 7385 2692
Opening Times: Monday – Friday 10:00 – 18:00 and Saturday 10:00 – 17:00
Fulham, 236 Munster Road, London SW6 6BA
Tel 020 7385 2692
Opening Times: Monday – Friday 10:00 – 18:00 and Saturday 10:00 – 15:00
New areas opening; Kew, West Hampstead, Islington, Crouch End
Call 020 7371 3715 for details.
Contacts
For media enquiries regarding the MyShoes Campaign or the Shoes4MyShoes programme contact:
Marla Madison, Campaign Director, MyShoes Campaign To Fight MS, Tel 0207 359 4546 or Mobile 07793969575 or Email marla@myshoes.org.uk
Or Lana Wrightman, BlueIce Communications (not for publication) Tel 020 7937 7537 or Email lwrightman@blueicecom.com
For media enquires regarding MS contact: Jennie Sullivan, MS Society, Tel 0208 438 07or email: Jsullivan@mssociety.org.uk
For further information regarding Auctioning4good contact Isabella Pawlowski, Tel 0207 371 6644 or email: Isabella@auctioning4u.co.uk
