Sporty Spice donates her tracksuit for the 4th Annual Uber x Red Cross Clothing Drive
For three decades, Melanie C has helped make the humble tracksuit a piece of pop culture history. Now, the global singer-songwriter is opening up her personal archive and donating two treasured pieces from across her career to support this year’s Uber x New Zealand Red Cross Clothing Drive.
For one day only on Saturday 17 October 2026, between 10am and 4pm local time, Kiwis in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, can book FREE Courier deliveries on the Uber or Uber Eats app to have their quality clothing donations picked up directly from their doorstep and delivered straight to New Zealand Red Cross shop.
From stage outfits and screen-worn pieces to clothing tied to memorable moments throughout her career, Melanie is looking back at some of the items she has held onto over the years - and is now ready to give some of her most treasured items a new home.
On getting behind this year’s Uber x New Zealand Red Cross Clothing Drive, Melanie C said: “I’ve always loved finding great pre-loved pieces, and every time I tour New Zealand, I’m blown away by how much Kiwis embrace sustainable fashion. I love the feeling of walking into a Red Cross Shop because you never quite know what hidden gem you’ll find.”
“I’ve been lucky enough to wear some incredible pieces over the years - there are lots of memories attached to them, and I love the idea of giving them a new life with somebody else. And yes, I’m even parting with a custom made tracksuit and a little black dress! If Sporty Spice can do it, hopefully I can inspire Kiwis across the country to do the same.”
MELANIE C’S ARCHIVE DONATIONS
To lead by example, Melanie is opening up her personal archive and donating two memorable pieces for the campaign - heading directly to New Zealand Red Cross Shops. These items will be on display and for sale at Red Cross Shop in Albany, Auckland, from mid-November.
- The Kendal Calling Tracksuit: A custom black-and-white tracksuit with a matching bra worn on stage at Kendal Calling in July 2023 - a modern take on Melanie’s classic Sporty Spice silhouette.
- The Copenhagen Crystal Dress: A black dress featuring detailed crystal accents, worn while DJing at Bang & Olufsen’s 100th-anniversary celebration at the Royal Danish Opera House in Copenhagen in November 2025.
Women’s wear is currently the top selling category, with women’s tops, pants and skirts consistently the top most-purchased products by units sold across New Zealand Red Cross Shops from October 2025 to August 2026. Melanie’s donations will follow in the footsteps of last year’s ambassador, Stan Walker, who also donated pieces from his own wardrobe to support the drive.
And it’s not just celebrity wardrobes making an impact. Last year, the Uber x New Zealand Red Cross Clothing Drive collected over 64,000kg of quality pre-loved clothing across Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch - equivalent to around 32 mid-sized trucks filled with donations from communities across Aotearoa.
Sophie Jones, In-Store Experience and Product Sourcing Lead, New Zealand Red Cross, said, “Melanie is a fantastic advocate for this year’s Uber x Red Cross Clothing Drive, an event we look forward to each year. She’s showing how even iconic pieces of clothing can be given a second life through donation.
“When Kiwis donate good-quality clothes they no longer wear, those clothes can do so much more than fill racks in our Red Cross Shops. They help us raise vital funds to support our humanitarian work here in Aotearoa and around the world.”
Emma Foley, Managing Director for Uber Australia and New Zealand, said, “We are thrilled to have Melanie involved in our 4th annual clothing drive with New Zealand Red Cross to show Kiwis that donating quality clothing can feel easy, rewarding and worth doing. By making Courier deliveries available for free, it’s an initiative that truly moves what matters in local communities, and Kiwis can rely on us to help give their pre-loved clothing a second life right from their doorstep.”
HOW KIWIS CAN DONATE FROM THEIR DOORSTEP
On Saturday 17 October between 10AM and 4PM, Uber is offering free Courier deliveries to Red Cross Shop drop-off locations across Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, Uber is making it easier than ever to donate quality pre-loved clothing to those in need.
Gather pre-loved items into a bag or box, no heavier than 20 kg, so it can comfortably sit in the boot of a midsize car.
- Open the Uber or Uber Eats app
- Scroll to the Red Cross Clothing Drive image, and tap
- Read through instructions and hit ‘book now’ to reach the checkout screen
- You should see ‘Red Cross Clothing Drive’ on screen, and the drop-off spot should be pre-selected for you.
- If you’re in an eligible city, the Red Cross Clothing Drive promotion should automatically apply, so check that your Courier trip is showing as a $0 amount
- Confirm!
If you have any issues or can’t see the tile? Head to the Uber App > Courier > type in ‘Red Cross Shop’ > Pick the first option shown > Confirm.
Keep an eye on the app and meet the delivery person at the door or kerbside for a seamless handoff.
Each donation of quality, pre-loved clothing helps New Zealand Red Cross raise funds to support people and communities across Aotearoa. By clearing out their wardrobes, Kiwis can give their clothes a second life while supporting humanitarian programmes that make a difference throughout the year.
Few tips on how to find the right items to donate:
- Refresh and reset: When it comes to decluttering your wardrobe, adopt a pragmatic approach. If you haven't worn an item in the last 12 months but it's still in great condition, consider donating it. New Zealand Red Cross is on the lookout for high-quality, saleable clothing and accessories. They can't accept homewares, underwear, or clothing that's worn out or dirty. If it's something you'd happily give to a friend due to its quality, it's definitely something New Zealand Red Cross would appreciate!
- Create pre-loved bundles: Gather your pre-loved items into a bag or box, no heavier than 20kg, so it can sit comfortably in the boot of a midsize car.