One of the UK's most popular charity shops is selling designer items from Prada and Ralph Lauren worth hundreds for pocket change in its stores. The items have been donated by celebrities including Dame Helen Mirren, Gemma Atkinson and former Vogue Editor-in-Chief Alexandra Shulman.
Designer items have been placed in British Heart Foundation shops across the country as part of the Reuse Revolution campaign, and are also going up for auction on eBay for those who want some cheap designer goods without having to get off the sofa.
Among the products available will be Alexandra Shulman’s navy-blue polka dot Samantha Sung dress and model Olivia Arben’s Prada bucket hat, Maje dress and two Ralph Lauren dresses.
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Dame Helen Mirren, who is leading a star-studded cast for a theatrical TV show marking the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, donated a silk blouse, a signed pair of white high heels and a signed CD of the music recorded to celebrate the Jubilee. The shoes originally belonged to Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders.
The items will all be listed on the charity’s eBay store from Tuesday, May 3. As well as bidding for celebrity items online, shoppers can also visit their local BHF shop to hunt down preloved items from the celebrity donors including a signed copy of Gemma Atkinson’s book, a signed book and records from DJ Gilles Peterson, and clothes, shoes and books from The Food Medic, Dr Hazel Wallace.
Items have been left in BHF charity shops across the country, where lucky shoppers can snap them up for bargain prices. The BHF Reuse Revolution aims to raise awareness of the benefits of shopping and donating via its 700 nationwide shops and online eBay and Depop stores – preventing good quality items from going to landfill and saving money while also funding its vital heart research.
Lovers of all things preloved can also enter a competition to be in with a chance of winning four stylish second hand pieces from the campaign photo shoot; a bronze, double headed table lamp, an industrial style wooden trolley, a leather handled round mirror and an art deco orange chair with wooden legs. The competition is available to enter via the Reuse Revolution website now.
Allison Swaine-Hughes, retail director at the BHF, said: “What an incredible way to kickstart our Reuse Revolution with the support of so many celebrities donating their pre-loved items. Our savvy shoppers can support the revolution by shopping online via our eBay shop, bidding on some fabulous shoes from Helen Mirren, or searching for a bargain in their local BHF shops. You might just find a signed record or book from one of these famous names.
“Every item sold in our shops goes towards helping fund vital scientific breakthroughs that will help the 7.6 million people in the UK living with heart and circulatory diseases.”
