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New project to help provide warm clothing

Chris Craddock
BBC Jersey communities reporter
BBC Kalina smiles at the camera as she stands in front of the clothes rail which has coats, jumpers and jackets on it. There is also a sign up for Rag Trade saying people can help themselves to the clothes and donate items as well. Kaline is wearing a grey and white jumper with a dull yellow scarf and she has long hair tied into a pony tail.BBC
Kalina La Marquand, from Rag Trade Jersey, said people had been happy to use the new warm winter clothes rail

An environmental group has launched a new project that aims to provide warm winter clothes to people in Jersey.

The Rag Trade group puts on events where people can pick or drop off clothes, shoes and other items across the island.

It has now launched a new clothing rail at Town Church that allows people to pick up items for free, as well as providing a space for people to drop off donations.

The project has been praised by some people in the island for helping them save money while also keeping clothes out of landfills.

Baby jumpers are hanging from the front of the rail while clothes for older people are hanging behind them. To the left - is the Town Church hall.
The rail contains free clothes for people of all ages

Kalina La Marquand, who founded the Rag Trade group in Jersey, said she wanted to extend the work the group does in the island.

She said "it's that time of year where no-one has any money" and "it's freezing cold so let's share some clothes".

"When I started Rag Trade – I didn't think anyone would come but we were actually mobbed and it's gone from strength to strength since then as we get thousand of donations for each big event we do," she said.

The group is now looking for a business or a local authority to help it afford and find a property which it can use to store and give out clothing.

Rosemary smiles at the camera with the clothes rail behind her. She has a brown turtle neck jumper on and has long brown hair.
Jersey mother Rosemary Dowden encouraged people to participate in the initiative

Jersey mother Rosemary Dowden, who runs a money saving blog called Penny Pinching Bean, said: "There are so many people on this island that are really struggling.

"Anything that is free like this is great.

"I've seen more people reaching out and telling me that they're getting second hand presents and stuff like this that throughout the year which was a big stigma before now."

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