In today’s world, there are many ways to show your support for a cause. Whether that is through volunteering, donations, cake sales, or advocacy, there are myriads of ways to get involved and to raise awareness for an important cause. One of the most popular causes to get behind at the minute is cancer awareness – everywhere you go there is reference to the various charities funding research, treatment, and care. Many designers and high-street names have taken up the torch of support as well, designing and selling clothing with the aim of raising awareness and money for their chosen charity.

Every year, throughout May, June, and July, Cancer Research UK hosts their annual Race For Life events across the country, with thousands of women, all clad in pink, taking part and raising money in the process. Backed by Tesco, the event is an unmitigated success, and I’m one of the many ladies who have taken part more than once. The atmosphere is electric, the motivation is undisputed, and it’s an excuse to dress from head to toe in pink (including face paint).

When Tesco took up the sponsorship of the event in 2001, many of their colleagues began to take part in the races and, soon enough, the supermarket brought out their own line of clothing to match the theme. Each year, the clothing section of their shops comes alive with splashes of pink, with a large amount of the money collected going toward the charity.

A few years ago Debenhams launched their ‘Think Pink’ range, which had a 25 per cent donation attached to each item sold, and 50p from every bra sold being directly donated to breast cancer research and care charities. There were events at stores up and down the country, and the shop also endorsed the ‘Wear It Pink’ event in late October, with many a celebrity-style icon taking part.

Similarly, TK Maxx established a partnership with Cancer Research UK in 2004, and launched their Give Up Clothes For Good campaign, encouraging people to donate their unused clothes to the company, raising money to put toward children’s cancer charities and care in the process. In 2014, as the shop celebrated its tenth year in partnership with the cause, a massive 213,169 bags of clothing were collected up and down the country, and a further £14.7 million of the money raised by TK Maxx was directly funnelled into research within children’s cancer charities in the UK.

Without the vital support of big-name brands and designers, the high-street of catwalk, and charities across the UK and the world wouldn’t have as far-reaching an impact as they do now. Many stores carry the ribbons and badges, but many have gone further and designed entire clothing ranges to raise awareness and money for their chosen charity.

I, like many other consumers, have found myself purchasing pink T-shirts to run in, and donating £2 for a pin badge at the checkout, not really realising how important it really is. These shops have taken the idea of fashion, something we all endorse in different ways, and made it something useful and charitable. At the end of the day, it’s just another way to show your support. But, admittedly, it’s a trendy one.