White Rose is a charity shop chain kickstarted by Nottingham Trent University students that uses fashion as a weapon to raise money for third world countries.
The White Rose Charity was set up by two Nottingham Trent University Students, Grace and Angie, after going on a trip to Rwanda with Aegis Trust charity in 2008.
The NTU students saw first-hand how genocide ripped Rwanda apart and the positive effects Aegis Trust was having on the survivors.
The White Rose chose to donate to Aegis Trust because of their efforts to improve the quality of life for those suffering with the aftermath of genocide, and to help prevent it.
The Aegis Trust has created a peacebuilding model in Rwanda to prevent vulnerable youths from carrying out aggressive behaviours in the hope that this will deminish the chances of genocide and such offenses.
Now in 2019 White Rose has raised thousands by using a clothing bank system.
Assistant Manager, Lucy Eadsan, 29 said: “Everything we make goes to the Aegis Trust which helps third world countries prevent genocide so we get peace building schemes educational programmes and more.”
“The classic sportswear Nike and Adidas make the most money,” she added.
The volunteers of the charity choose specific clothing they deem as ‘good enough’ to display in their shop.
Designer brands in good condition such as UGG are among the top selling, along with 90s fashion pieces.
Assistant Manager, Rianna Romes-Hanson, 23 said: “We have quite a lot of high price items here that I know other charity shops tend to not use, but people will pay it because it goes to a good cause.”
“In the next 6 or 7 months we’re planning on opening a store in Manchester and plans to open more stores in other big cities,” she revealed.
This development is the result of their huge successes in raising thousands of pounds for Aegis Trust and having goals to broaden across the country to raise as much money as possible.
By Maisie Southon