M&S hosts design competition for charity-raising clothing collection
For the second year running, high street haven Marks & Spencer has partnered with YoungMinds, a mental health charity for young people. This time, the duo are hosting a competition for young people to create a design for this year’s Hello Yellow kidswear collection.
Every year for Hello Yellow (World Mental Health Day on 10 October), YoungMinds calls on teachers, pupils, parents and colleagues to wear yellow, to show young people that they are not alone.
The competition invites young people across the UK to design a sweatshirt or hoodie that will be sold in M&S stores across the UK and online. All profits will be donated to YoungMinds "to help more young people feel supported with their mental health".
There are two age categories for the competition, 5-11 and 12-16 year-olds, and one winner will be chosen from each. The winners will not only be invited to go behind the scenes to see their design come to fruition, but they’ll also receive enough sweatshirts or hoodies featuring the winning design for everyone in their class to wear on Hello Yellow.
Victoria McKenzie-Gould, Corporate Affairs Director at M&S, said: "With the incredible support of our colleagues and customers, we’re proud to have raised over £3 million in just over one year to support young people’s mental health.
"We’re launching our design competition during Children’s Mental Health Week to raise further awareness of this issue and the support YoungMinds can offer across the country. We want as many young people as possible to get involved in our design competition and for everyone to think about how they can support a friend or young person who might be struggling."
Launched in October 2023, the partnership aims to raise £5 million over three years. This will enable YoungMinds to double its reach to support seven million young people and the adults in their lives through easy-to-access online resources and its dedicated Parents Helpline. M&S raised over £3 million in the first year of its partnership with YoungMinds.
Rochelle Humes, M&S x YoungMinds partnership Ambassador, added: "As M&S and YoungMinds Partnership Ambassador I’m SO excited about this Young Designer of the Year competition - it’s a perfect reminder that one chat can change everything.
"So, why not encourage a young designer you know to take part? Their creativity could make a real difference, being seen by millions of people across the UK as well as raising vital funds for YoungMinds. Good luck everyone, with your help we can show more young people that they’re not alone with their mental health."