Volunteers' fight to keep formalwear charity alive for Sydney students

For families under extreme financial stress, the Formal Project offers so much more than a free dress or suit for students attending their end-of-year school formals.

The volunteer-run shop creates magic memories for thousands of teenagers who would have gone without on their special night.

But now the charity needs someone to cheer them on, after they were told they would no longer have access to their home at Minto Mall in Sydney's south.

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"Minto Mall have been so generous, they've given us the space completely free, unfortunately we can't secure this space for 2025," Formal Project founder Sam Oakes said.

"I think i just felt for all the kids, you know the insecurity for next year, there's already schools reaching out to collaborate for next year.

"I need space, I need somebody out there, anybody, to give us a space in the Campbelltown LGA to keep doing what we're doing."

Watch the full video in the player above.

FULL MINTO MALL STATEMENT

Since their early establishment, Minto Mall has been proud to support The Formal Project and its mission by offering a 230-square-meter space rent-free, providing clothing racks, makeup services for student formal events, and promoting their services to the local community.

Minto Mall has always communicated clearly with The Formal Project, ensuring they could operate rent-free until a full-term tenant became available, at which point they would receive ample notice to relocate.

For the avoidance of doubt, Minto Mall has not provided notice to The Formal Project to vacate.

Minto Mall is committed to supporting the local community and The Formal Project and will continue to do so.