Rainbows challenge to dress ‘naked’ charity shop mannequins

A challenge has been issued by a local charity to its supporters to provide outfits for its ‘naked’ shop display dummies.

Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People says there has been such a rush on its charity shop stock that it has been forced to issue a plea for donations, particularly of women’s clothing and accessories.

The children’s hospice adds that its shop mannequins, ‘Fred’ and ‘Ginger’, don’t have a thing to wear – and they are currently preserving their modesty with donation bags!

And what better challenge than for local folk to kit out its naked mannequins – and help a worthy cause!

Rainbows Head of Retail, Karen Bilsby, said: “We’re asking local people to have a summer clear-out to see if they can come up with outfits to kit out our shop mannequins with style, male, or female!”

The best outfits will be displayed across the charity’s five shop window displays – and there’s even an opportunity for those who donate them to be pictured with the mannequins and featured on the Rainbows website!

Karen added: “It’s a bit of fun to encourage people to bring in their unwanted quality garments and help us do the decent thing to clothe our mannequins with stylish outfits. And, of course, it will help us to support youngsters will life-limiting conditions. An unwanted outfit sold at one of our shops could fund a play session to put smiles on faces and help families to make precious memories.”

Clothing and accessories can be donated at any of the Rainbows five charity shops across the region: Beeston, Blaby, Market Harborough, Melton Mowbray and Loughborough, Monday to Saturday.

For details of how to donate goods call the shop on 01509 212245 or visit rainbows.co.uk/shops

Our picture shows Rainbows shop manager Lucinda Hardy (right) and deputy shop manager Karen McGinnigle with mannequins ‘Fred’ and ‘Ginger’.