Derbyshire Dales sheds clothes for cash

A weight loss consultant was stunned by the response she had to a charity appeal for clothes, which saw Dales people donating nearly 300 bags of garments.
Diane Evans, Slimming WorldDiane Evans, Slimming World
Diane Evans, Slimming World

Diane Evans, who runs three Slimming World groups in Matlock, was inundated with bags of good quality clothes after making an appeal through the Mercury.

Diane, of Matlock Bath, set up camp at Derwent Carpets, in Dale Road, Matlock, for just one day – asking people to drop in their unwanted garments to be sold in aid of Cancer Research UK.

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In that day alone, she received 150 bags from members of the public.

Throughout the course of a week donations from her members boosted her stash to around 300 bags.

She said it is estimated that each bag of clothing can raise around £30 for the charity, which means that including gift aid, she managed to raise around £10,000.

“I was amazed at the response I got,” she said.

“It was the first time I have ever done an appeal like that, but I will definitely do it again.”

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She said some people were bringing in six or seven bags of clothes, including expensive items such as Betty Barclay suits.

Diane took the bags to the Cancer Research UK shop in Ashbourne to be sold, however she had so many that the charity had to send a lorry to take some of the bags to other stores.

“We went through every bag checking the clothes,” she said.

“It’s quite time consuming but it’s really rewarding when you start looking at the figures.

“I feel really proud.”

Diane gave thanks to Derwent Carpets, which as well as allowing her to use its premises, also donated cash towards the cause.

She also thanked all the members of the public and Slimming World members who donated clothes.