PAYCE Foundation announces major partnership with clothing charity

(From Left) Paynter Dixon Director – Stephen Wainwright, Paynter Dixon Head of Construction – David Trethewy, PAYCE Foundation Director – Will Morgan, Thread Together Chief Executive Officer – Anthony Chesler, Stephanie Hynes Burdick – Group General Manager of People & Culture and Matthew Greene -Paynter Dixon Executive General Manager

Thread Together collects end-of-line, brand new stock from fashion retailers around the country.

With the support of volunteers, the clothes are sorted in readiness to be distributed to people in need through a national network of charities and social service agencies.

Since 2012, Thread Together has provided 600,000 people in need with clothes. The clothes have been diverted from going to landfill. Thread Together has over 700 fashion partners and 500 charity partners.

It has launched a program to assist more women and families fleeing domestic violence, installing clothing hubs in women’s shelters across the country.

Many women and children arrive at a shelter with only the clothes they are wearing.

PAYCE Foundation’s $100,000-a-year commitment will go towards establishing another 100 hubs which include modular wardrobes.

PAYCE Foundation Director Dominic Sullivan said the project closely aligned with the foundation’s commitment to support domestic violence victims.

“We are dedicated to assisting the large number of women and children who are fleeing domestic violence and are extremely vulnerable,” Mr Sullivan said.

“We are delighted to partner with Thread Together on this vital project which gives women and their children support, dignity and the start they need to rebuild their lives.”

Thread Together Chief Executive Officer Anthony Chesler explains that survivors of domestic violence often plan their escape for many months and almost always arrive at a refuge with nothing except the clothes that they are wearing and a few possessions in their handbag.

“Being able to provide an immediate solution to women and children on arrival, affording them choice of brand-new clothes, will help to restore some dignity during a very traumatic period,” Mr Chesler said.

“Thread Together is immensely grateful for the support from the PAYCE Foundation which will ensure the immediacy of need for brand-new clothing for vulnerable women and children is met on arrival at a women’s shelter.”

Thread Together runs a fun volunteer program which sorts the large volume of donated clothes.

PAYCE Foundation partner Paynter Dixon has pledged to join the Thread Together volunteer program – committing 20 staff every 12 weeks.