**An OBE Honour for Charity Shoe Boss Amid Soaring Demand**
The founder of a charity that redistributes donated second-hand shoes to children in need has recently been appointed an OBE for her remarkable services. As the demand for donations continues to rise, Camilla ‘CJ’ Bowry, the 43-year-old founder and chief executive at Sal’s Shoes, has been recognized for her dedicated efforts in serving young people, education, and the environment.
**A Surge in Demand Amidst the Cost-of-Living Crisis**
Sal’s Shoes has witnessed a significant surge in demand for donated shoes, especially in light of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. With a mission to provide footwear to children across the globe whose families cannot afford them, the charity has successfully redirected over five million pairs of shoes to 61 countries, with an increasing focus on supporting children in the UK.
Camilla ‘CJ’ Bowry, reflecting on the organization’s journey, expressed, “Children tend to outgrow their shoes before they outwear them, making children’s shoes both expensive and difficult to recycle due to their complex components. Sal’s Shoes was founded over a decade ago when I accumulated a bag full of my son Sal’s outgrown shoes and couldn’t find a suitable charity to donate them to.”
**Feet Protection for Underprivileged Children**
Highlighting the critical impact of their work, she emphasized, “There are an estimated 300 million children globally who rarely walk with shoes. Protecting their feet through suitable footwear is vital in preventing injuries and infections, which is why our efforts have been relentless in distributing shoes to those in need.”
**Surging Demand in the UK**
While initially operating on a smaller scale within the UK, Sal’s Shoes has observed a considerable increase in demand, distributing over 180,000 pairs of children’s shoes nationwide in the past year. Camilla explained, “The surge in demand can be attributed to the cost-of-living crisis, as families are struggling with providing essentials such as food, heating, winter coats, and school shoes.”
**Empowering Donors Through Tracking and Transparency**
One of the distinctive features of Sal’s Shoes is its ability to track every pair of donated shoes and inform the previous owners about their new destination, fostering a sense of transparency and empowerment among donors.
**Acknowledgment and Validation**
Upon receiving the OBE, Camilla expressed mixed feelings, stating, “As someone working in the charity sector, any acknowledgment is quite uncomfortable, considering that our accomplishments are a result of the less fortunate circumstances of others. Nevertheless, it does validate our work and serves as recognition for the entire team.”
**A Personal Triumph and Family Excitement**
Camilla revealed that her family was not aware of the honor until the list was published, adding, “I’ve seen it as a personal challenge and managed to keep it a secret—the best secret I ever maintained. I’m excited for my parents to learn about it; I don’t think they’ll believe it, and it will be a joyous moment for them.”
In conclusion, the OBE honor bestowed upon Camilla ‘CJ’ Bowry serves to acknowledge her relentless dedication to supporting underprivileged children through the provision of essential footwear, amidst surging demand fueled by economic challenges.
This article is based on information provided by www.independent.co.uk.