Surprise donation allows thousands of pairs of socks to be distributed to vulnerable families

A collaboration between three charities will distribute 1,000 pairs of brand new children’s socks to vulnerable families across Derbyshire after it received a surprise donation of the essential and often costly clothing. 

Treats, which is run by a group of six local mums committed to helping underprivileged children in Derby and Derbyshire, admitted it “was a first” when they were given this generous donation by Bells Brands.

While they were grateful for the donation, the team at Treats were unsure of the best approach for getting them out to the people that need them most, initially keeping them secure in their storage unit.

They called on the help of rural charity Rural Action Derbyshire (RAD) who, alongside food redistribution charity FareShare Midlands, arranged for the socks to be taken to a FareShare depot. The socks were mostly in one tonne bags and, once they have been sorted into smaller stackable trays, they will be distributed over the coming weeks.

They will go to the food banks and community pantries which are part of the Feeding Derbyshire network that is headed up by RAD.

There is a wide selection of socks available to those in need, including baby sizes to tights and socks for primary school children.  This will no doubt be welcome news to many as the cost of living continues to skyrocket, pushing more and more families closer to poverty. 

Vicky Ashton, Chair of Treats, said: “It was wonderful to get the donation of so many children’s socks, but it was a bit of a challenge to work out how to distribute them. We are so grateful to RAD and FareShare Midlands that they have been able to sort it all out for us, they both do amazing work.”

Mandy Chambers who leads on the Feeding Derbyshire work for RAD said: “We were pleased to come up with a plan to get all these socks out to the food banks and community pantries. It was great to be able to take advantage of the existing distribution network. And hats off to FareShare who took in the significant delivery of socks and have agreed to use spare staff and volunteer time to split them into smaller packages to get them out.”

Simone Connelly, Director of FareShare Midlands said: “What an unusual but useful donation, coming at a time when vulnerable families are truly feeling the pinch. We are delighted to be able to support Treats and work with RAD, and look forward to helping deliver the socks to those in need, alongside the great surplus food we redistribute”.

A full list of food banks within the Feeding Derbyshire network is available at ruralactionderbyshire.org.uk/foodbanks