Renowned London theatre the Royal Opera House has donated nearly 2,000 items of clothing to an unemployment charity, saving 17 tonnes of CO2 in the process.

Suited & Booted helps vulnerable, unemployed and low-income men into employment by providing clothing for their interviews, alongside interview advice. The charity received 1,929 items from the Royal Opera House – including jackets, trousers, waistcoats, T-shirts and shirts – after the front of house staff uniform was found in storage and no longer in use.

The donation has also saved the equivalent of 17 tonnes of CO2 in the process from being released into the atmosphere, had the clothes gone to landfill.

Suited & Booted hopes the partnership with the Royal Opera House will enable its service users to gain confidence and ultimately a new job.

Maria Lenn, Chief Executive of Suited & Booted, said: “Many of these men have chaotic lives, with addiction, prison and homelessness as their core experiences. The service we provide at Suited & Booted boosts confidence and can change lives.

“The fantastic range of suits from the Royal Opera House is helping many clients as they move on with their lives to becoming job and interview ready.”

The Royal Opera House says that the new partnership has not only supported vulnerable men into employment, but moved it closer to its target of reaching net zero emissions by 2035.

Alex Beard, Chief Executive of the Royal Opera House, added: “I’m hugely proud of our partnership with Suited & Booted. It enables us both to support the vulnerable and those in need, and to improve our sustainability.”