Paying tribute to all who had been involved in making her 'Living & Giving' concept

The Retail expert and TV personality paid tribute to all who had been involved in making her 'Living & Giving' concept come to life, since the official Barnes shop opened just over a month ago.

In a rousing speech Mary thanked everyone for their support and called for more volunteers and more donations.

“The Living & Giving shops are alive!  They are about giving back and encouraging us all to live in a new way.  When you open up a shop that’s about being good on every level – good product, good people giving their time for a really good cause – that’s a tick-tick, win-win all round.  I just hope that this becomes a little beacon on the Barnes high street and I’m really pleased to be a part of the Barnes community." - Mary Portas, Retail Ambassador, Save the Children 

Paul Hunwick, Brand Manager for Save the Children continues to say: “We are delighted by the response we've had to our Mary's Living & Giving Shop for Save the Children and thrilled to be part of such a dynamic and warm community. We encourage everyone in Barnes and the surrounding areas - including the local businesses - to get involved as much as they can, either by volunteering in the shop or looking through their wardrobes and stockrooms and bringing along a donation. Equally, just come in and shop! Every penny we make goes towards the vital work that we do at Save the Children; saving children’s lives here in the UK and internationally. Ethical shopping is growing in popularity and what is more ethical than helping to save children's lives while you shop. It is the ultimate in guilt free shopping.” 

Barnes is the fifth ‘Mary's Living and Giving’ shop, all of which have turned into community hubs where customers and volunteers come together to raise money in this unique way.  Since it's launch back in 2009, hundreds of thousands of pounds has been raised for Save the Children, enabling them to have a positive impact on some of the most vulnerable children in the world.

Mary’s Living & Giving Shop for Save the Children is appealing for donations and for local volunteers to work in the shop. To donate stock or to enquire about volunteering visit our website at www.savethechildren.org.uk/livingandgiving or call 020 7012 6400.