I WORE THE SAME DRESS FOR A YEAR

When Rachel David, 53, took on a charity challenge, she made a difference to her cause and her confidence

- VERONIQUE HAWKSWORTH

Looking down at the large dog planting muddy paw prints all over my dress, I began to regret my decision to go for a walk in the park. Arriving back home, I chucked my dress in the washing machine for what already seemed like the 100th time that month. Only 11 months to go…

When I’d decided to wear the same dress for a whole year, my family thought I was mad. But there was a serious reason for setting myself the challenge. I was the director of the charity World of Worth, with a project helping women in Ethiopia living in poverty. Like many other charities nationwide, we couldn’t fundraise through our usual methods during lockdown, and we had to be creative. A friend of mine was doing something similar, but while some days she wrapped her dress around her waist or wore it as a shirt, I would be wearing my dress day in, day out.