For the past five years, MerryGoRound has been a lifeline for families in Islington and beyond, providing over 1,600 essential bundles of children’s clothes, shoes, and books — completely free of charge — to those struggling with financial hardship.
Now, We Need Your Support.
MerryGoRound began in May 2020, during the uncertainty of the pandemic, when three mothers came together with one simple goal: to provide practical help to local families in need. Today, that mission is more urgent than ever, as child poverty continues to rise and more families struggle due to the cost-of-living crisis.
We receive referrals from schools, social workers, and local charities to ensure our help reaches those who need it most. Every bundle we provide is made possible by the generous donations from local families, giving pre-loved items a second life and building a circle of love within the community.
Powered by Volunteers, Supported by the Community
We are an unregistered charity, operating on a tight budget with a small team of dedicated volunteers. All the work we do is made possible by our volunteers, who do everything from sorting donations to delivering them to families in need. Additionally, we are fortunate to have the use of a storage space at Islington Square free of charge, which helps keep our overheads low and ensures more of your donation goes directly to families.
How Your Money Will Be Used
Every penny of your donation will go towards helping families, with a large portion dedicated to purchasing essential clothing and supplies that we don’t always receive through donations. Your contribution will also help us cover our modest operational costs.
Here's how we spent last year's funds and we expect our allocation for this year to be largely the same:
- 48% (£1,800) purchased clothing essentials such as underwear, socks, and other items not often donated.
- 20% (£760) bought durable, reusable bags to package the bundles. These bags can be used long-term by the families.
- 13% (£490) purchased storage boxes for our sorting space. While this was essential last year, we expect less need this coming year.
- 19% (£720) covered running costs, such as insurance, website and bank fees, which are necessary to keep everything operational.
How You Can Help
We are incredibly grateful for any contribution, no matter how small. Your donation will make a huge difference to the families who rely on us. Together, we can continue to ensure that children and families facing hardship have the support they need.
*We are not yet registered for Gift Aid*