Clarks becomes main supplier for the Children’s Boot Fund Charity

Written by Harrison Pearce

The Coventry-based charity was founded in 1983, but its services were under threat last year. The service provides shoes to children and is back in operation following a setback when its main retailer closed. After being in discussions for at least one year, Clarks has become the main shoe firm to accept vouchers issued by the organisation.

The Coventry Children’s Boot Fund provides approximately 500 to 750 pairs of shoes per year, depending on the year and donations, to children in need in Coventry. The charity distributes vouchers for school shoes to ensure children have well-fitting and appropriate footwear.

Born and bred in Coventry, Volunteer Janet McConkey said, “It has taken a year of discussions with Clarks, but finally excited to see everything come together.”

The fund was set up by teaching assistant George Gibson at South Street School in Hillfields in Coventry. It was a time of great poverty. The boys were ‘wretchedly clothed.’

The charity has multiple volunteers across the city, and Janet McConkey started it 45 years ago. Her role first began as a school attendance officer, where her job was to find out why children weren’t in school and to get them back into education.

In the present day, Janet McConkey has received an MBE for all her hard work during her service to the organization. The goal is to ensure children have well-fitting new school shoes to improve their attendance, concentration, and self-esteem. 

She said, “Families with children at schools in Coventry could ask for an application form and once verified, the charity would then issue vouchers to eligible applicants.

Throughout schools in England, bullying can play a significant part in a child’s self-esteem and ability to learn. According to the Anti-Bullying Alliance, 40% of young people were bullied in the last 12 months.

The charity’s ambitions are to keep going and to help as many children as possible. Alongside the support from Clarks, vouchers will be issued before Christmas.