This week, we’re praising the stylish spirit of Lauren Cowdery, 39, from Leeds. She said…
Rummaging through bags of secondhand clothes, Ichecked off a list in my head. No holes, no stains, no bobbles, I thought.
Iwas assessing pre-loved items that would later be hung up as part of the Leeds Community Clothes Exchange.
It was something I’d been doing since summer 2014, after going to the clothes exchange in Woodhouse Community Centre every month as aregular.
Bringing in bags of my clothes, as well as some from my husband Karl, 41, Iwas excited to see what Icould exchange them for.
I loved wearing funky patterns, so I gravitated to colourful items.
My best find was apair of broken-in Doc Martens –I’ve worn them almost every day since getting them five years ago!
We give clothes a new lease of life
From donated high street staples to designer jeans and vintage gems, there was always something to suit everyone’s styles.
Every item was worth one credit –if you brought one item in, you could swap it for one other.
Only, Iwanted to do so much more than updating my wardrobe.
‘Do you need any help here?’ Iasked the team.
I’d never volunteered before, but Isoon got stuck in.
Ibegan assessing clothes and hanging them up nicely so they could find new homes.
Ieven helped organise our Charity Bank Scheme –where our swappers donated their credits into abig pot so anyon
