Give the gift of fashion: Dazzle at the office part with the help of Newlife charity in Cannock

Whether you’re glammed up for the annual office do or enjoying a night out with friends, Christmas parties are now in full swing.

And the festive season is the best excuse to choose a new outfit and get dressed up in something extra special.

From the classic little black dress to showstopper sequin gowns, there are plenty of ways for women to sparkle for that big occasion.

Anything that glitters is always a winner while reds, silvers, golds and greens are always popular at this time of year.

And there is no reason why men can’t also dress to impress in sharp suits, dazzling waistcoats and stylish shoes.

When it comes to finding that perfect ensemble, however, it’s not always as easy as you might have hoped with the selection on sale in your usual go-to shops not quite living up to that dream outfit in your head.

But if you’re fed up of not finding anything you want on the high street or tired of trudging backwards and forwards to the post office to return clothes that you’ve ordered online because they don’t fit right or the colour is wrong, then you could try a different approach.

Newlife Stores is gearing up another busy festive season with thousands of shoppers expected to descend, from up to 50 miles away, on its flagship shop in Cannock over the coming weeks.

It offers a unique shopping experience as clothing, footwear and accessories are all donated by more than 200 retailers and, instead of the profits going to owners and shareholders, they are ploughed directly into supporting Newlife the Charity for Disabled Children.

The charity, which also has shops in Market Drayton and Uttoxeter and employs 400 people, offers a range of support including a helpline to provide parents and carers with confidential information, grants for equipment such as beds, buggies, wheelchairs, and the free loan of specialist toys.

Harjinder Samra, Newlife’s head of retail, says: “‘Tis the season to shop with Newlife Stores as we are a retailer with a cheerful twist. Newlife has a fantastic mix of clothing all under one late night shopping roof. Our Cannock superstore is open until 10pm on weekdays and offers a range from across the high street.”

At the moment Newlife is championing its men’s and women’s party clothing and says it has a wide selection of outfits perfect for a festive bash or New Year’s Eve gathering.

There is also good news for the bank balance as, for men, trousers range in price from just £2.99 to £12.99, jackets from £4.99 to £26.99, suits from £9.99 to £49.99, shoes from £2.99 to £24.99, ties and pocket squares at £2.99 and shirts from £2.99 to £12.99.

While women could get a full outfit for less than £20 with dresses priced from £4.99 to £49.99, bags from £4.99 to £24.99 and shoes from £4.99 to £24.99.

“With new products added to the sales floor every day, shoppers are certain to bag that one of a kind stunning outfit ready to impress at your Christmas and New Year parties.

“Our stores and warehouses are stocked full of party clothing for both women and men. From striking glitter dresses to fancy shirts for men - shopping with us is good for the environment, good for your pocket and good for disabled children and their families. A Newlife outfit is certain to make you feel amazing in more ways than one,” says Harjinder.

Retailers donate end of the line and surplus stock as well as items that might not have fit the original design brief or have a tiny fault.

As well as benefitting a good cause, it offers high street shops a more environmentally friendly way of disposing of unwanted items, stopping them from being sent to landfill sites.

One common misconception about Newlife Stores is that it’s a charity shop. While profits from its seven shops do benefit a charity, all of the products come directly from major company’s stores and warehouses, not from individuals. Every item is new and has never been worn.

While they are browsing the rails, shoppers have no idea where a piece of clothing, pair of shoes or accessory has come from as all of the original labels on the garmets are removed.

Most retailers prefer to keep their donations secret and cutting out the label also helps to defeat fraudulent reclaims by customers.

“Removing labels allows people to mix and match and find an outfit that truly matches their individual style rather than just buying from one shop because it’s a certain label. People don’t always realise what quality stock we have, it’s all new stock.

“We get customers from all walks of life. We even have one lady who travels to our Cannock store from mid-Wales four times a year and buys all her clothes from Newlife,” says Maggie Morrissey, the charity’s PR, content and media campaigns manager.

Newlife the Charity for Disabled Children was founded by mum of three Sheila Brown in 1991 and since then it has helped almost 20,000 youngsters and their families. As well as providing essential equipment such as specialist beds, wheelchairs, communication aids, specialist seating, and sensory/therapy equipment to disabled and terminally ill children, money raised through the shops also funds a valuable and active research programme.

More than £16 million in around 300 individual projects at 80 research institutions across the UK, focusing on conditions which cause lost pregnancies, brain malformations, organ defects, syndromes and loss of sensory or physical ability.

The charity also supports parents and carers with its team of nurses who are readily available via its free helpline to give condition specific support and information,

“When you shop at Newlife, not only are you getting a nice dress or jacket, you’re helping to improve a poorly child’s life.”

l Clothing, shoes and bags shown are examples of what is on sale at Newlife Stores. Items are subject to availability. See www.newlifestores.co.uk