Salvation Army eco church raises £900 from “pre-loved” clothes fashion show

When Swindon Gorse Hill Salvation Army decided to host a fashion show, it wasn't just about raising funds—it was about making a statement. As an “Eco Church”, the church is committed to promoting sustainability, and what better way to do that than by showcasing the beauty and value of pre-loved clothing? 

The Chapel Street hall was recently transformed into a vibrant catwalk as staff, volunteers, and their families modelled second-hand clothing from the church’s charity shop, proving that sustainable fashion can be stylish, affordable, and—most importantly—fun. The venue was packed to capacity and raised £900 far exceeding all expectations.

All outfits modelled were genuine donations to the charity shop—items that had been given a new lease of life rather than ending up in landfill. The highest-priced item sold was a wedding dress and veil for just £25, much to the delight of a bride-to-be who had been searching for exactly that style. All items not sold on the night have been placed in the shop at half price to further promote affordable, sustainable fashion.

Sustainable fashion at the heart of the event

The fashion show was designed to champion the charity shop's recycle and reuse ethic while reinforcing the church’s commitment as an Eco Church. By showcasing affordable, pre-loved clothing, the event encouraged the community to think differently about second-hand shopping and consider the environmental impact of fast fashion.

Hayley Purnell, the Community Centre Manager at Swindon Gorse Hill Salvation Army, said with the UK experiencing heatwaves right now, the fashion show centred on pre-loved clothes, was a powerful reminder that climate change is no longer a distant threat—it's here.

Captain Theresa Torr who leads The Salvation Army at Swindon Gorse Hill said, “We are absolutely thrilled with the turnout—we could not have fit one more person in the building! What has truly warmed our hearts is seeing so many people come together to show their love for the environment and embrace sustainable fashion. While buying second-hand might seem like a small individual effort, events like this prove that when a community comes together with a shared purpose, those little efforts add up to something much bigger. We hope this fashion show has inspired people to think about the choices they make and the difference we can all make, one outfit at a time.”

Building bridges and reaching new audiences

The money raised will be used in the local community to support the extensive mission work happening at Swindon Gorse Hill Corps, which includes:

- A literacy club giving free books to children

- A kids club supporting up to 50 children during summer

- A lunch and social club which is open to everyone

- A Christmas present appeal that distributed gifts to 324 children last year

Related to being an eco-church, a new initiative called the Eden Patch which will work very much like a forest school will be launching soon. To learn more about their work or to donate to their causes visit their website: Swindon Gorse Hill | The Salvation Army.