John Lewis has started selling face coverings in shops to raise funds for charities helping people through the pandemic. In September, Waitrose will begin to sell a newly designed, charitable bag for life in its shops and online.
The profits from the sale of these products will be donated to NHS Charities Together, adding to the £2.7m of support given or committed by the John Lewis Partnership to charities and local communities, either as a financial or product donation, since the coronavirus pandemic began.
The face coverings are being made in John Lewis’s factory in Lancashire ‘Herbert Parkinson’ which has also been making thousands of medical gowns for the NHS and thousands of face coverings for John Lewis and Waitrose Partners to wear at work.
The packs of three facemasks in black, grey and blue are washable and reusable. They come in two sizes – one for adults and one for children price £10 per pack. The bags, which are made from recycled plastic bottles, go on sale in mid-September price £5.
These are the latest products created by the John Lewis Partnership to raise funds specifically for NHS Charities Together.
John Lewis is also raising funds for NHS Charities Together through the sale of an own brand leather Rainbow Trainer £79 available in sizes 3 – 8, and a Heroes mug designed in house price £8. In April the retailer ran a #DesignYourSuperBear competition. The winning bear will be sold at Christmas to raise funds for NHS Charities Together.
Caroline Silke, Partner and Social Impact Manager said; “’Through our relationships with local hospitals and NHS staff, we know the amazing efforts our heroes continue to make, and the need for further support to enable them to continue their vital work which so many people are dependent on. The Partnership is committed to doing all it can to help and is delighted to support NHS Charities Together with these products.’
Ellie Orton, Chief Executive of NHS Charities Together said: “Thank you, John Lewis & Partners for donating money in aid of NHS Charities Together through sales of these great products. Funds donated will help us to support the NHS, community healthcare and social care with the ongoing and long term impact of Covid-19 across the country. Your support throughout this crisis has been incredibly impressive – thank you.”
