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UK FASHION STUDENTS WILL HELP TO TAKE ON “OPERATION UPCYCLE” AND CREATE NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR VETERANS
Help for Heroes, a leading UK veterans’ charity, has announced a new national partnership with Ramco, the surplus asset recovery specialists, which aims to turn ex-military textiles into contemporary fashion, and create new opportunities for veterans.
The partnership will deliver a minimum £40,000 unrestricted donation to Help for Heroes, and further generated commercial income.
The partnership, called Operation Upcycle, will see thousands of surplus Ministry of Defence garments, including jackets, combat trousers and technical fabrics, upcycled into limited-edition fashion pieces, designed by students from the University of Southampton’s Winchester School of Art (WSA) and produced in collaboration with Help for Heroes.
Crucially, veterans will be involved throughout the process from design and production through to modelling, retailing and storytelling, ensuring the garments carry both provenance and purpose. As part of the collaboration, veterans will be on hand during the workshop sessions with students to support the creative process and share their personal stories of pride for the uniforms being upcycled.
Ramco, one of the UK’s most trusted names in surplus asset recovery, was appointed as the official recycler of MoD surplus textiles in February 2025. It is now launching the project as part of its commitment to repurposing surplus textiles for social, environmental, and economic good.
For many veterans, the uniform represents pride, identity and belonging, and when service ends, that can be difficult to replace. This initiative honours that history while transforming surplus military textiles into pieces that carry real story and meaning. It brings veterans and students together to champion sustainability and ensure the experience of the Armed Forces community is seen and heard by new audiences.”
Help for Heroes’ Chief Executive
The project will be embedded into WSA BA Fashion Design course from 2026, with students developing capsule collections as part of sustainability and innovation modules. Designs will be showcased at end-of-term fashion shows and exhibitions, before selected pieces move into production.
Further details about showcases, retail launches and opportunities to get involved will be announced later this year.Operation Upcycle was created to prove that surplus materials can create new value commercially, environmentally and socially. Collaborating with Help for Heroes on the partnership is a major step forward. Their experience, reach and deep understanding of the Armed Forces community will help us ensure this initiative delivers genuine, lasting impact for veterans, while also scaling the programme nationally.”
Managing Director at Ramco