Influencer Hanushka Toni of Sellier Knightsbridge chose Garwood for her “secret” charity shop designer bag drop.
From her online shop social profiles, Sellier Knightsbridge, social media influencer Hanushka puts out a call for charity shops based in Croydon to nominate themselves, and for followers to comment with charity shops in Croydon that they would love to see receive designer handbags.
With a rush of comments showing support for Garwood, the team from Sellier Knightsbridge chose to visit Garwood’s South Croydon store on Wednesday 26th March in a “secret” charity shop drop.
An eager crowd excitedly awaited their arrival. With the details of date, time and location not released until just before the drop is due to take place, it’s a race to be there and be in with a chance of winning one of four designer bags. Each person is given a raffle ticket, and four lucky winners are drawn at random.
Designer handbags up for grabs included Louis Vuitton, Chloé, Alexander McQueen, a vintage Chanel. Retailling at several hundred pounds each, and in the case of the vintage Chanel even more lucrative, winners could purchase the designer bags for £100 each or the vintage Chanel for £500 with proceeds going to the Garwood Foundation’s Space to Thrive appeal.
For designer handbag lovers this was an opportunity – and a price tag – almost too good to be true. With the race on to raise the final £100,000 of a £2.5m target in the Space to Thrive appeal, Garwood were also thrilled to be involved:
Aimee Twomey, Communications and Events Coordinator at Garwood said “It was a novel way to raise money for our appeal and generated such good feeling and excitement in our community. The atmosphere was buzzing with many social media followers excited to meet Hanushka and the Sellier Knightsbridge team in person too. Our shop’s brilliant staff are always ready to go above and beyond, and they were particularly happy to see some new faces in store too”.
Hanushka arrived supported by Anja with social media and her PA, Tabby. Originally from Croydon, they wanted a way to give back and support local charities. The bag drops began in 2024 and have been so successful they were keen to offer more. Having not visited a Garwood store before they “were scared no one would turn up” but summarised “it was amazing! So many lovely buyers and hopefuls and a hidden gem of a charity shop”.
The money raised by the sale of the bags and generous donations on the day are all contributing to Garwood’s Space to Thrive appeal. This will complete long-awaited building works at Rutherford School for young adults with profound and multiple disabilities. The works will provide a modernised hydrotherapy pool, an extra classroom to increase student numbers, and accessible community meeting space for everyone.
Rutherford School, part of The Garwood Foundation, are currently in a race to raise the last £100,000 of their £2.5m target to complete the building works. Works are expected to continue until the end of the year/early 2026 giving an urgent timeframe to raise the last funds.
Donations, fundraising, partnerships like this one, participation in challenge events, by individuals or companies are all welcomed. If you’re inspired by Sellier Knightsbridge visit to the Garwood charity shop, visit www.garwoodfoundation.org.uk/space-to-thrive or get in touch with the Garwood team.