A Look Back at 2022
Luckily the dark, cold, miserable, depths of January haven’t found us completely doom laden! We enjoyed an action packed year with some very diverse activity - fashion shows in clothing made from deadstock, supplying essentials to Ukrainian refugees, and navigating the 2000 mile-long River Danube - and we wanted to tell you all about it
First up, in February we made an urgent call for help…
FARA Foundation: Solidarity for Ukraine appeal
A distraught Ukrainian mother, comforted by a FARA Fundation staff member. Photo: Catalina Urse
Alongside our usual programmes of care and support for Romania’s most disadvantaged children, this year saw another group of people in desperate need of FARA’s help: refugees from Ukraine.
When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, millions of people were forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in neighbouring countries. According to UNICEF, over 2.4 million Ukrainians crossed the border into Romania.
Due to the nature of FARA’s work, our colleagues on the ground in Romania were well placed and able to act immediately to support those arriving in the transit centres.
Ukrainian refugees at the transit centre, Romania. Photo: Catalina Urse
Back in the UK, a fundraising appeal was launched – Solidarity for Ukraine – which in a few short weeks raised over £20,000. This enabled FARA to support 2000 refugees with food, medical help, longer term options for shelter and support with ongoing journeys. We were also able to assist in getting 12 tonnes of aid directly into the war zone, for people unable to leave. For several women and children who had nowhere else to go, FARA has created a more permanent home within our community, until such day as it is safe for them to return home.
You can read more about our Ukraine appeal here: https://www.faracharity.org/news/solidarity-for-ukraine/
FARA Charity Shops turns 30!
FARA CEO Libby Gordon and Chair of Trustee Board, Siobhan Cross, celebrate FARA Charity Shops turning 30. Photo: Ian Walton
From the very first shop opening in 1992 on the Fulham Road, to the 40 high street locations today, FARA Charity Shops has come a long way in the last 30 years – so it was only right that we should celebrate this milestone.
FARA Fulham Road – photo: Ian Walton
We kicked off the year of celebrations with our 30-30-30 offer. Working with the local press, FARA shops were offering
30% discount on the 30th of every month, to readers of selected magazines and newspapers. The promotion was a great success, and we have since extended the offer to new mailing list subscribers, as well as keeping the offer open until 30th July 2023. So, you still have time to sign up for your code: https://www.faracharity.org/join-our-mailing-list/
FARA x LCF
LCF students and their FARAxLCF creations, alongside host Scott Wimsett. Photo: Rebecca Maynes
FARA x LCF is our sustainability collaboration with students from The London College of Fashion.
Over the summer, a group of first year students from the Fashion Design and Development course were set the challenge by FARA to create a 90’s themed ‘look’ purely from deadstock (stock donated to our shops that is not in a good enough condition to sell); The 90’s theme being a nod to FARA’s 30-year anniversary.
A model at FARAxLCF
Over the course of the summer holidays, 8 students spent hours of their own time creating some iconic fashion stories, ready to be submitted and judged by a panel of fashion experts.
On October 6th, the students and models presented their collections to FARA and the judges, in a show held at LCF. The three student who were felt to have produced the strongest work were announced, and all participants were invited to the afterparty on October 13th.
Mia Tomlinson and Isabella Pappas for FARAxLCF in Islington FARA charity shop window
Held in FARA’s flagship shop in Islington, the FARA x LCF party was attended by influencers, fashionistas, trustees and loyal customers. All had come to celebrate the next generation of fashion designers, whose creations were displayed in the huge shop window for everyone to see. Our host, Scott Wimsett, gave a rousing speech on sustainability in fashion, and congratulated all our students for their hard work. In short, it was truly a wonderful evening, which you can read more about on our blog & gallery here
FARA Charity: Fundraising
Kieran Alger (ManVmiles) our FARA fundraiser in front of the River Danube
On the charity-side of things, we absolutely must mention Ultra-runner and FARA fundraiser Kieran Alger (ManVMiles) For those that don’t know, Kieran set himself the monumental task of running the entire length of the Danube (Europe’s second-largest river) in 2 months. That’s a distance of almost 2000 miles!
From sea to source, the Danube River flows through 10 different countries, and so for Kieran to complete his mission, he would need to run the equivalent of a MARATHON every day, for 67 days straight! And did we mention he planned to do all this solo?
But nevertheless, he smashed it! Overcoming challenges with the terrain, incredibly hot weather and dangerous stray dogs, Kieran persevered and after 410 hours (!) of running, was met with a hero’s welcome in Germany where the Danube starts.
In all, Kieran raised over £10,000 for his chosen charities, and we are honoured to be selected to be among them – well done and thank you for supporting FARA!
You can find out more about this epic challenge here: https://linktr.ee/manvmiles
Could you fundraise for FARA? Click here to find out more.
And that was 2022! A huge ‘thank you’ to all our donors, fundraisers, and customers.
Even in these uncertain times of conflict and spiralling costs, FARA Charity has continued to thrive, ensuring we can continue our vital work in Romania, supporting thousands of the most disadvantaged children and their families for years to come.
See more about our work here: https://www.faracharity.org/why-we-are-here/