News article
Crisis volunteer fashions winning project
Crisis volunteer and former rough sleeper Donald Waugh is today celebrating the first stage of a project to bring together the glizy fashion world with talented homeless people. Donald hopes the culmination of the project will be a show during London Fashion Week 2010 and an online shop where homeless people can sell their products.
Donald, who has himself experienced homeless, has developed the project with the support of Sparklers, which has mentored Donald and six other homeless entrepreneurs to develop their business ideas.
Donald wants to involve high-end designers and models in the project in order to mentor and develop the skills of talented homeless people who have an interest in fashion. “There is so much talent on the streets,” said Donald. “When I was homeless people helped me and now I want to help others to rebuild their lives.”
Donald is no stranger to the glamorous world of entertainment and fashion. As a child he starred in the film Bugsy Malone and went on to enjoy 25 successful years on stage and screen. But a downward spiral of low self confidence and alcoholism left him to lose his home and end up homeless.
With the help of Crisis and other charities he has recovered and for more than two years has been a volunteer at Crisis helping others in the same situation he once found himself. Last year Donald won the Crisis Volunteer of the Year award.
Donald hopes the culmination of the project will be a show during London Fashion Week 2010 and an online shop where homeless people can sell their products.
