In a heartfelt recognition of her outstanding dedication to helping children in need around the world, Ms. CJ Bowry, the founder of Sal's Shoes, has been honoured with an Order of the British Empire (OBE) at the ceremony in Windsor Castle on Tuesday the 23rd of April 2024. 

In a world where millions of children lack access to basic necessities, the charity, Sal’s Shoes, has and is making a significant impact on children all over the globe, not just the UK. Sal’s Shoes operates on shoe donations, collecting gently worn or new shoes from individuals, schools, and businesses. These shoes are then sorted, cleaned, and distributed to children in need through a network of trusted partners and charities. By repurposing shoes that would otherwise go to waste, Sal's Shoes addresses the importance of sustainability and helping others 

Recently, Ms. CJ Bowry, received an OBE for her exceptional humanitarian efforts in providing footwear to underprivileged children worldwide. The prestigious award recognises her dedication and commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of countless children in need. During the first year of Sal’s Shoes, just under 5,000 pairs of shoes were collected and ten years on, over 5 million pairs of shoes have been collected providing shoes for children in 61 countries around the world. 

Ms. CJ Bowry stated : “ I’m honoured to have spent St George’s Day at Windsor Castle in the company of the Princess Royal ; with my children Sal and Clemie, the inspiration behind the work I started, beside me. Anything I’ve ever been able to achieve has been because of the all encompassing support from everyone around me. Sal’s Shoes simply cannot do what it does without the generosity of time and the sincere efforts of all our supporters, and it’s never been something I take for granted.

This honour is recognition of all the hard work behind the scenes and what our team has achieved over the last 10 years. I’m forever grateful for all of the support we have received. I don’t think we can change the world, but I do believe we can make a difference and we’ll continue doing that one pair of shoes at a time”. 

Ms. CJ Bowry and her team have provided thousands of children with the gift of footwear. This not only protects them from injury and infection but also enables them to attend school regularly and engage in daily activities with confidence.

Sal's Shoes continues to expand its reach and the organisation remains guided by its core values of compassion, generosity  and solidarity. Through the simple act of donating shoes, individuals and communities have the power to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children around the world. 

Sal’s shoes empowers children, one step at a time, and the remarkable achievement of the founder of the charity, stands as a testament to the transformative power of kindness and generosity.