A leading British shoe retailer has donated more than 41,000 pairs of children’s shoes to national family charity Home-Start UK in an incredible package of kindness towards parents managing tight budgets.

The shoes have been distributed to hundreds of families across the UK, including parents across the Wales area after some were delivered to Home-Start Cymru.

Meirwen Jones, Head of Operations, of Home-Start Cymru, said: “The families we support are so grateful for this wonderful donation of shoes. It will make such a difference.”

Shoe retailer Russell & Bromley approached the charity asking if they would like the amazing gift of shoes, which range in size from infant to adolescent.

The mammoth shoe donation has been sized up and it was found that if every pair of shoes was lined up, toe to heel, they would stretch for more than five miles – the height of Mount Everest!

Bethan Webber, Chief Executive of Home-Start Cymru, said: “Families are already benefitting from the impact of this generous philanthropic gift by Russell & Bromley. It is a really tough time for parents right now. Families who would otherwise struggle to afford new shoes, or have to purchase on a buy now pay later arrangement, can enjoy seeing their children wearing a new pair of shoes without any worry.”

The donation means families supported by Home-Start can enjoy new shoes for their children for free. All 41,500 pairs of shoes have been distributed to 91 Home-Starts across all four nations of the UK.

A spokesperson from Russell & Bromley said: “We pride ourselves in the charity relationships we endeavour to nurture and are delighted that we are able to help Home-Start families in this way and make such a positive impact at the start of this new year.”

Russell & Bromley has been synonymous with expert craftsmanship and fashion-led design since 1880. Specialising in luxury shoes and handbags for men and women, the brand strategically reviewed the continuation of its children’s range in 2021, which led to them wishing to gift their existing stock holding of 41,500 pairs to a good cause.

Home-Start UK began in 1973 in Leicestershire and now has more than 180 Home-Starts across the UK, supporting parents facing issues including postnatal depression, isolation, bereavement, coping with twins, financial worries and physical disabilities.

Through a network of trained volunteers, families are matched with a volunteer who visits once a week for two hours to support them in whatever way they need – it could be as simple as holding a crying, colicky baby so a mum can shower in peace, accompanying a mum to a toddler group to help her build confidence, supporting parents with a sick child in hospital or helping with advice around managing budgets.

To find out more about the work of Home-Start in your area follow the link: https://www.home-start.org.uk/find-your-nearest-home-start