From last week M&S will ask customers not to take a hanger home when they buy clothes and will instead donate 50p for every £1 saved from hanger recycling to UNICEF, the world's leading children's organisation
The aim is to raise at least £1.9m over the next three years. This will fund a critical new project in two locations within the Mymensingh and Dhaka regions of Bangladesh, providing all the basics children need for a better future, such as clean water, education and healthcare.
Television presenter Cat Deeley, a UNICEF UK Ambassador, is supporting the initiative. She says: "There are countries where children live without access to running water, education or healthcare. Doing your bit to help could change the plight of many, and, what's more, you'll be helping the environment too as these recycled hangers won't end up in a landfill site. So, on your next shopping spree, leave the hangers at the till and help transform lives."
Marc Bolland, Chief Executive Officer of Marks & Spencer says: "By simply leaving their hangers at the tills our customers are helping us, helping UNICEF and helping some of the world's poorest children - just one box of hangers can provide a child with clean water for a fortnight. We are very proud of our UNICEF partnership and believe it can make a big difference to families and communities in Bangladesh, a country we have a large presence in with a regional office and 38 supplier factories."
David Bull, Executive Director of UNICEF UK, says: "UNICEF is extremely excited about our ground breaking new partnership with M&S. UNICEF works with the UK's leading businesses to affect positive change for children in innovative and effective ways, using our expertise to change millions of children's lives each year. Support from such a trusted high street retailer as M&S, as well as its millions of customers, will enable UNICEF to transform the lives of 50,000 people, giving children the best possible start in life".
Darrel Moore
Fro more information visit www.unicef.org.uk