Buy designer wear for a cause

Hamara Footpath organises garage sale at Bandra venue, proceeds to go to charity; to feature gig including artistes like Agnee and Ankur Tewari.

When community group Hamara Footpath (HF), which works with children living on the street at Churchgate, organised their first garage sale last year at Dhoop, Bandra, their expectations were modest. Put together from concept to execution in under two weeks, the group raked in funds of over R 80,000 from the sale of clothes donated by well-wishers. This year, with over a month in planning, the group’s second garage sale at Candies, Bandra promises to offer a lot more. For starters, director Kiran Rao and actor Shahana Goswami have joined the cause by donating some of their new/unused clothes.

Designers join in
Fashion designers like Masaba Gupta and Swapnil Shinde have also contributed their own creations for free. Clothes will be priced from R 50 to R 1,000, while designer-grade apparel will be offered at a 50 per cent discount. The money raised will go towards charity, which includes schooling expenses; and for funding Hamara Foopath’s tri-weekly activities with children at Cross Maidan, Churchgate. Nupur Shah, co-ordinator for the group mentions, “From last year’s event, we learned that people have a lot clothes that they don’t know what to do with, which just ends up lying unused in their cupboards. Since Hamara Footpath has always believed in involving the larger community by getting everyone involved, an event like this gives people a chance to donate in their own way,” she says.

Team member Rhea Bhumgara adds, “This time we have a much bigger venue – the entire terrace at Candies. Candice Pereira, who owns the venue, herself volunteered to offer it. We’ve already received more clothes compared to the last time, with still some more coming in. With the spa, live performances and designer wear, we hope it’s a success that will generate enough to send at least a few of the kids we teach to a proper school.”