Uber wants “quality over quantity” in this year’s Australian Red Cross clothing drive, and has chosen Spice Girl Melanie C to inspire Aussies to donate their finest pre-loved clothes.
Last year, Uber’s Australian Red Cross Clothing Drive, which was spearheaded by swimmer Cody Simpson, raised 125 tonnes of clothing (roughly nine double decker London buses) in just one day.
This year, Uber chief marketing officer Nicole Bardsley wants Aussies to be just as generous, but ensure that they donate high quality clothing that the Australia Red Cross is able to sell.
On Saturday, 17 October, Aussies can book a free Uber courier to pick up clothes for the Red Cross between 10am and 4pm.
“One of the things we learned a few years ago is that it’s really important for Australians to donate quality clothing because if it’s torn, ripped or stained, it can’t be resold in Australian Red Cross shops. And this means the Red Cross is not raising funds for their efforts, so I’m really focusing our message around the quality of clothing,” Bardsley told B&T.
“I’ve already gone through and done my wardrobe clean out for this weekend. I have my bag ready to take along with me when I volunteer. It’s very easy to hang on to a lot of quality clothing that you just never end up wearing.”
Melanie C, the English singer commonly known as Sporty Spice, has also gone through her wardrobe and will be donating a green and gold tracksuit and a grey dress that she once wore at London’s Roundhouse.
Bardsley said Sporty Spice was the ideal fit to lead this year’s Australian Red Cross Clothing Drive.
“When we think about how we find talent for this type of campaign, we’re looking for someone who has both a connection to Australia and New Zealand, but also has a connection to the cause and feels passionate about the work that the Red Cross does.
“Melanie C actually fit the bill really, really well and was wonderful to work with on set. She’s known for her iconic style, her iconic tracksuits. She’s very loved as Sporty Spice and has really, really broad appeal. Plus she also lives here in Australia.”
Mel C is also a devout Liverpool FC fan. It is notable in her campaign video that she hasn’t offered to donate one of her many Liverpool FC kits.
Bardsley was unable to confirm or deny whether Mel C had a clause that ensured the Liverpool kits were off limits for the campaign.
Nonetheless, her iconic style has added some Scouse sparkle to Uber’s eighth Red Cross clothing drive.
The one-day national initiative takes place tomorrow (Saturday, 17 October). Residents in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch can use the Uber or Uber Eats app to book a free to send eligible clothing directly to Red Cross Shops.
