London Designer Outlet (LDO) is thrilled to announce the revival of its Christmas ‘In Their Shoes’ donation initiative in collaboration with Solace Women’s Aid. Building on the success of last year’s campaign, where 260 women and children in refuge accommodation in London received gifted footwear.

Recognising the crucial need for warm footwear, LDO is committed to ensuring that no woman or child goes without this winter. The ‘In Their Shoes’ initiative, a collaboration between LDO and Solace, aims to bring warmth, comfort, and smiles to 300 women and children this Christmas.

The community is invited to be part of this heartwarming initiative by making ‘In Their Shoes’ donations. For those who wish to contribute, there’s an option to reserve and purchase a pair of shoes from any footwear store within LDO, within their budget, embracing an inclusive approach that allows everyone to play a role.

Michelle D’Vaz-Plant, Head of Marketing at London Designer Outlet, expresses, “The LDO ‘In Their Shoes’ initiative is more than just a donation drive; it’s a collective expression of compassion and community. This year, we’re expanding our support for women rebuilding their lives, enhancing their confidence with appropriate footwear for job interviews, and promoting mental well-being through exercise and activities with their children.

The goal is not only to garner support but also to spread the message of empathy, solidarity, and the transformative power of small acts of kindness. We are excited to see the Brent community come together once again.”

Rebecca Goshawk, Head of Partnerships and Public Affairs adds, “At Solace, we see the power of community to support women and children who are seeking to rebuild their lives after domestic abuse. The ‘In Their Shoes’ initiative embodies this community spirit, providing much needed support to women and children in our refuges. We are grateful for the ongoing partnership with London Designer Outlet.”

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

All you need to do is purchase a pair of winter shoes from London Designer Outlet and drop them off at Guest Services before 8th December. When you drop your shoes off for donation, you can complete a donation gift tag to include a personal message.

LDO is looking for children’s shoes suitable for age 4-8-year-old boys and girls, and women’s sizes 4-7 UK. There are a variety of footwear brands available offering shoes of varying styles and price points.

Only new shoes that are purchased from stores within London Designer Outlet apply. Please ensure they are sensible winter shoes so women and children can keep their feet warm during the colder months.

LDO x SOLACE

Solace Women’s Aid exists to provide advice, accommodation, and support to empower women and children in London to build safe and strong lives free from abuse and violence. LDO and Solace remain committed to working hand in hand to make London a safer and more inclusive place for all, driving positive change.

This year, LDO unveiled the Warrior Tree as a symbol of unity between the organisations and launched a bespoke training program empowering staff to identify and support individuals affected by personal situations. Developed collaboratively and informed by on-the-ground insight, this comprehensive training fosters safer spaces and equips LDO staff to positively impact the community. Specialised training turns LDO staff into positive bystanders and provides management teams with essential tools to sensitively support guests.