The fashion brands raising money for charities and the NHS

From buying a T-shirt to wearing a pair of statement earrings, invest in something that gives back

It's easy to feel helpless during this time, but here's how you can do your bit

(iStock/The Independent)

There’s no doubt about it, coronavirus has majorly impacted all of our lives, and particularly the most vulnerable in our society.

When it comes to the fashion industry, numerous companies have stepped up – either by making large donations to charity or producing personal protective equipment (PPE) for patients and staff in hospitals.

Brands have now turned to designing new items and collections specifically aimed at donating profits and proceeds to the NHS and key charities, to offer their support to those in need.

​With life as we know it turned upside down, it’s easy to feel helpless. But you can do your bit.

In recent weeks donations to the NHS have rocketed. Captain Tom Moore, a 99-year-old veteran, raised more than £29m by doing laps in his garden for NHS Charities Together – a group of more than 50 NHS charities that collectively give £1m every day to the NHS.

Similarly, people have taken part in the #runforheroes challenge – running 5k, donating £5 to the NHS Charities Together, and nominating five friends to continue it, which has raised more than £5m, too.

While these efforts have raised a phenomenal amount of money for an excellent cause – it’s important to remember that the NHS is of course, not a charity. It shouldn’t need heroic fundraisers to help it survive a crisis. Important charities we've featured here – namely, the British Red Cross and Solace Women's Aid – are also struggling.

This is why our round-up includes brands that are donating to the NHS, but also to other key charities that are supporting those in need. We have only included brands that are donating 50 per cent or more of profits or proceeds to charity.

From buying a charity T-shirt to showing your support by wearing Missoma’s NHS round of applause necklace, read on for our selection of the best ways you can do your bit and spread some much-needed cheer.

You can trust our independent roundups. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps us to fund journalism across The Independent.

Missoma NHS round of applause necklace

Following its Instagram initiative to gift NHS workers with a custom engraved gold necklace, Missoma has reworked its bestselling 18ct gold vermeil disc pendant with an engraving of clapping hands to show support for NHS staff working during coronavirus. The brand is donating 100 per cent of the proceeds from this limited edition necklace to NHS Charities Together. Alongside this, Missoma has partnered with Magic Breakfast and Akshaya Patra – charities that are providing meals to those in need. For every one order placed, two meals will be donated, until the end of June.

Buy now £105, Missoma

Tatiana Alida x British Red Cross honey I'm home T-shirt

SUITCASE Magazine has teamed up with fashion PR Sophie Elliot, stylist and fashion consultant Sophie Goodwin, as well as artist and designer Tatiana Alida. Known for her exuberant brushstrokes from previous partnerships with Liberty London and Victoria Beckham, Alida has designed three T-shirts to raise money for the British Red Cross UK Crisis Appeal. All proceeds from the sales will go to the charity, which is aiding the UK’s response to coronavirus and is reinforcing the NHS where it needs it the most. We particularly love the bright and colourful “honey I’m home” T-shirt, the design is timeless, meaning we'll continue to wear this forever. Equally as playful is the "home and away" design, and the "I stayed in t-shirt".

Buy now £30, SUITCASE Magazine

Tada and Toy holi pearl hoops

Independent jewellery brand Tada & Toy is donating all profits from its “pearls 4 NHS” kulfi collection to Cook-19; a small non-profit organisation providing cooked meals to NHS key workers who are isolating or unable to cook for themselves or their families in London. Cook-19 also collects donations of food and drink products and toiletries, the team of volunteers then turn these into hampers and restaurant quality cooked meals. These holi pearl hoops add a chic and understated touch of colour to your outfit, which we love. We'd also suggest taking a look at the rest of the kulfi collection for some equally lovely pieces.

Buy now £150, Tada and Toy

Origin Africa limited edition tee

Origin Africa – a not-for-profit organisation raising funds for humanitarian development projects through the sale of ethical fashion – has launched a new campaign "every single penny" where 100 per cent of its revenue is donated to fighting against Covid-19 in Africa. Due to its partnerships with health services in local communities in Africa, the organisation has been able to donate directly to the causes that matter most. For example, its funding has helped to improve sanitation (handwashing facilities) and distribute accurate information about Covid-19 to allied healthcare providers and their communities. This limited edition T-shirt is made from 100 per cent GOTS-certified organic cotton and the brand has been approved by both the Fair Wear Foundation and PETA. A great way to give back to the global community during an international crisis, while also being ethical and eco-conscious.

Buy now £34.96, Organic Africa

Mint Velvet grey rainbow cuff jumper

You may have noticed that your Instagram feed has received a splash of colour recently thanks to users paying homage to the NHS via their outfits. Inspired by this, stylist Natalie Wall started the #instarainbowchallenge, encouraging her followers to wear a different colour of the rainbow each day of the week. If, like us, you’re a bit of a colour-phobe, we think this jumper is the perfect way to tap into the trend and spead some rainbow appreciation. Mint Velvet is donating 100 per cent of the profits from this jumper to NHS Charities Together. The added bonus is that it's made from 68 per cent recycled fibres, so it’s not only a charitable buy, but a more eco-conscious one too.

Buy now £69, Mint Velvet

Moya preut drop earrings

We love these 18ct yellow gold plated earrings by London-based jewellers Moya. Putting on statement earrings is a simple, yet effective way to turn heads, even on a Zoom call; and that’s exactly what this pair do. The jeweller is donating 50 per cent of sales from these earrings to Solace Women’s Aid – a domestic abuse charity helping women and children in London to build futures free from male abuse and violence – until the end of May.

Buy now £190, Moya

Bottletop x TOGETHERBAND together at home band

As part of British sustainable brand BOTTLETOP’s #Togetherband campaign, 100 per cent of the proceeds from the new “together at home” band are being donated to the World Health Organisation (WHO) solidarity fund. This fund supports WHO in its work on tracking and understanding the spread of the virus, as well as patient care, helping frontline workers with access to essential supplies and accelerating research and development of a vaccine and treatments.

The band is made from ocean plastic with a clasp that is crafted from upcycled metals, made from melting down decommissioned, seized illegal firearms in Central America. Owing to huge demand, it is currently out of stock, but you can pre-order now.

We also suggest taking a look at the entire #Togetherband collection. Each of the 17 friendship bracelets represent a different UN Global Goal, with the aim of spreading awareness. Each pack contains two bands so you can spread the word and share with friends or loved ones.

Aside from its "together at home" band which donates solely to the World Health Organisation's fund, the brand is currently donating 100 per cent of net proceeds from other #Togetherband purchases to its #Togetherfund, which splits money equally between the WHO Solidarity Fund and Doctors Without Borders, a medical humanitatiran organisation that provides aid in conflict zones.

Buy now £20, TOGETHERBAND

Olivia Annabelle Nightingale charity T-shirt

We are obsessed with this charity T-shirt from independent brand Olivia Annabelle. The unisex tee commemorates 200 years since the birth of Florence Nightingale on 12 May, as well as celebrating 2020 being the year of the nurse, designated by the WHO. The brand is donating 100 per cent of the profits to Captain Tom Moore's JustGiving campaign. Lead time is currently three to four weeks for delivery, but we think this will be well worth the wait.

Buy now £25, Olivia Annabelle

Chinti and Parker berry anni heart cotton t-shirt

Loved by the likes of Holly Willoughby and Christine Lampard, this T-shirt design is a firm favourite. Chinti & Parker has created a new range: hearts for the NHS, where 100 per cent of profits are being donated to Meals for the NHS, a not-for-profit that is providing NHS workers with free meals from local restaurants during the coronavirus crisis. Featuring an understated design, this heavyweight cotton, classic-fit tee is the perfect addition to your spring/summer wardrobe. Thank us later.

Buy now £95, Chinti & Parker

Origins Sound social distancing scarf

With all of their events postponed until further notice, Origins Sound are now spending their time supporting the NHS by selling merchandise. And there really is no better way to show your appreciation than by wearing one of these football-style printed “social distancing” scarves. 100 per cent of the profits raised will go towards providing NHS workers with warm meals from local eateries. Follow them on Instagram to stay up to date with the food drops.

Buy now £19.99, Origins Sound