The folks behind pioneering grassroots charity Help Refugees are back again with the nifty way for Londoners to give some of their Christmas cash to refugees and displaced people around the world.
This year the month-long Choose Love store is based on Carnaby Street and dotted with products from emergency blankets to school bags, medical equipment to sturdy shoes. If W1 doesn’t appeal in our Tier-2 world, you can also visit the online shop, of course.
As always, each item is accompanied by a short story about how and why it was chosen. Shoppers simply take the tag to the till or buy directly from one of the store’s staff – each of whom works for the charity, and so is prepped to answer questions about their time working with refugees.
An innovative and engaging way of contributing to Choose Love’s vital work, the organisation is now one of the most prominent and effective humanitarian aid groups working directly with refugees.
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A jacket helps, as does a hot meal, a pair of thick socks or a hefty blanket. Products available in-store and online include wash bags, baby essentials and warming winter clothes, while new for 2020 are the COVID-19 Support Pack and Support For Unaccompanied Children. Plus, shoppers can also choose one of a range of beautiful customisable e-gift cards, to purchase on behalf of loved ones.
Visitors to the central London store this year will also be able to enjoy Carnaby’s Christmas light installation in partnership with Choose Love, featuring a series of pink neon lightboxes filled with positive messages of love and unity.
“When I co-Founded Choose Love, just over 5 years ago,” says Dawn O’Porter, “I never dreamt that we would be working in 15 countries across the globe, funding over 120 incredible, effective, needs-led organisations supporting refugees and opening a shop on iconic Carnaby Street. Let alone that Carnaby street would be emblazoned in pink sparkles and lights with our slogan and message to the world, Choose Love. It’s an honour and a dream and will help us do what it takes this winter to respond to the vast needs that we are seeing on the ground as a result of the already freezing cold temperatures and the effects of the pandemic.”
Buy online at or visit the store, at 24 Carnaby Street W1, open now until 24th December. More details here
