A local charity has received a £1,500 donation from a housebuilder to help buy shoes for schoolchildren in need across the city. The contribution was gifted to the Coventry Children's Boot Fund by Barratt Homes.
Charity Provides Hundreds of Shoes Each Year
On average, the organisation provides around 500 pairs of footwear every single year to families living in the area. The charity relies completely on voluntary contributions to fund its work and receives a discount from a high street shop to make the money go further.
The Coventry Boot Fund was originally founded in 1893 to help vulnerable young people get suitable footwear for school. The group gets its name from its history, as it originally supplied children with heavy hob-nailed boots more than 130 years ago.
Recognition and Support
The organisation was recognised with the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service in 2023 for its work in the local community. Long-serving chair Janet McConkey was also awarded an MBE in 2025 for her dedication to supporting local families.
The cash boost was provided through the homebuilder's dedicated community fund scheme, which supports good causes across the region. The parent company's charitable foundation has committed £20 million to local organisations across the country since it launched five years ago.
Quotes from Key Figures
Janet McConkey, chair of Coventry Children’s Boot Fund, said: “This generous donation from Barratt Homes will be used directly to pay for school shoes. Currently, we spend approximately £50 per pair, benefitting from a 10% discount from the Clarks shop in Coventry’s Lower Precinct, which supplies all the shoes.
“We rely solely on donations and do not hold activities during the summer months, so this donation from the homebuilder is very much appreciated. On average, we provide around 500 pairs of school shoes each year to children across Coventry.”
Adrian Evans, managing director at Barratt Homes West Midlands, added: “We are very proud to support the Boot Fund as it continues to support the children of Coventry.
“Shoes are something that most of us take for granted, but there are families who are unable to provide their children with suitable footwear year after year as they grow up. With this donation, we hope that the charity can make sure that no child in Coventry goes to school without proper footwear.”
To find out more information about the charity, visit the website at Coventry Children’s Boot Fund.
