People across the UK are being urged to take action this September to raise awareness of footwear poverty as part of a nationwide campaign led by Shoe Aid UK. The Midlands-based charity, founded in 2017, is running the STEPTEMBER campaign to shed light on the issue of shoe poverty in the UK and beyond.
The initiative, which includes a series of ‘SHOESDAYS’, encourages participants to raise awareness by wearing no shoes, odd shoes, or engaging in other creative activities each Tuesday throughout the month. Shoe Aid’s CEO, Andy Hughes, explained that the campaign aims to engage the public in a fun yet impactful way.
“You can be as creative as you like,” Hughes said. “Bake cakes in the shape of shoes or organise an event that gets people thinking about the importance of suitable footwear. The goal is to support our mission to combat footwear poverty both here in the UK and internationally.”
Shoe Aid, which is based in Nottingham, is dedicated to providing “fit for purpose” footwear to those in need, from school children and job seekers to homeless individuals. The charity reports that over 280,000 homeless people in the UK either have no shoes or rely on shoes in poor condition. Some 10,000 are living on the streets, making the issue particularly pressing.
“With just a £1 donation, we can provide someone with footwear suitable for work, everyday use, or even sports,” Hughes noted. He emphasised that the lack of proper shoes affects people in all walks of life. “Poverty isn’t part-time. Many children are heading back to school without proper shoes or trainers for physical education.”
Environmental Impact
Shoe Aid is also fighting the environmental impact of footwear waste. Over two million shoes are thrown into UK landfills every week, with synthetic materials taking up to 1,000 years to biodegrade. The charity works with manufacturers and distributors to help reduce this waste, repurposing shoes that would otherwise contribute to landfill.
Since its launch, Shoe Aid has distributed tens of thousands of shoes to more than 15 countries worldwide. In addition, the charity has educated over 25,000 people on the importance of recycling and reusing shoes.
Stepping Up for Schools
Shoe Aid is particularly focused on supporting children from low-income families by providing school shoes. With many students returning to classrooms this month, Hughes stressed the urgency of the situation. “We’re stepping up to help schools across the country, ensuring children have the proper footwear to fully participate in their education.”
How to Get Involved
Hughes encouraged individuals, businesses, and schools to get involved in STEPTEMBER by organising their own fundraising events or donating surplus footwear. “We rely on volunteers to help sort and clean donated shoes,” he said. “But to meet the growing demand, Shoe Aid needs more support.”
Hughes highlighted that while the service provided by Shoe Aid is free, running the charity is not. “Every pair of shoes we collect and donate has the potential to change a life.”
More information about the campaign can be found on the charity’s website at www.shoeaid.co.uk.
