2025: A Year of Impact

As we pause to reflect on the last year, we are grateful for the amazing community of Madluggers, and very ready for a mince pie and some time to relax. 

This year has been one of impact, growth and unforgettable moments, driven by a shared belief that every child and young person in care deserves dignity. Throughout 2025, that belief showed up again and again in classrooms, care settings, festivals, and partnerships.

Here are some of the highlights from this year:

When Communities Step Up

A summary of 2025 wouldn’t be complete without a shout out to Moorbridge School in North Tyneside. They launched an incredible fundraiser to support care-experienced children. They initially aimed to raise £200 (20 bags), so that each care-experienced child at the school could receive a pack-away travel bag.  After surpassing their target, the school went even further, deciding to make sure that every care-experienced child in North Tyneside would receive a bag through their fundraising efforts. The new target was to raise £2,440 so that 244 bags could be donated! Dave visited the school in January to thank the pupils for their incredible commitment to raising over £3,000 to support care experienced young people in their community.

Why Your Support Matters

Almost every day, we hear stories that remind us why we do what we do. Throughout the year, we heard from service providers from across the UK who distribute Madlug pack-away travel bags to children and young people in care. Colin, a youth worker in Scotland shared how much it means to offer a bag: 

“Just wanted to drop you all a massive thank you, we receive some bags from you to support our work, on a regular basis these bags are used to support young people moving, often in extremely difficult circumstances. I have been involved in this work for 30 years but every time I come across a young person clasping everything they own in a plastic bag, it breaks my heart. Being able to support them to transport their belongings in a caring and more dignified way is massive. For me as a worker to gain respect I must give it first, showing the young person that I care about them and their belongings is a very good start. Thank you Madlug for your amazing support.”

These stories are reminders of why Madlug exists and why dignity should never be optional.

Advocating for Dignity 

In March, Madlug joined National Youth Advocacy Services (NYAS) Cymru at the Senedd in Cardiff for the My Things Matter event. The My Things Matter campaign has gained spectacular momentum over the year,  you may have heard it discussed on the Jeremy Vine show on BBC Radio2. Care-experienced young people, charities and decision-makers came together to talk about belonging, dignity and practical change. Dave shared how over 1,000 pack-away travel bags have supported children in care across Wales. Each one helped ensure belongings were moved with care and dignity. Being part of conversations like this matters, because dignity needs to be protected in policy as well as practice.

Milestones & Celebrations!

This year, Madlug reached two huge milestones. 

In June, we reached 125,000 pack-away travel bags donated since Madlug was founded in 2015. Each bag represents a story of a child who has been reminded that they are incredible. 

June also marked 10 years of Madlug! A decade of growth, challenges and change. None of this would have been possible without the incredible Madluggers, partners and customers who have joined the movement with us. We also celebrated a proud moment as Dave was awarded his honorary doctorate of science for his work in Business from Ulster University! These milestones aren’t about Madlug alone, but they reflect a movement of people who believe children in care deserve to move with dignity.

New Products & Madlug on the Move

2025 also brought some exciting new products. We launched our premium range, a huge variety of hats and the classic backpack in two new colours - caramel and olive.

The summer months saw us take Madlug to Big Church Festival, Focus Festival and Summer Madness, giving us the opportunity to  share our story with thousands of people from all over the UK.

Madlug Pop-Up Experience 

New Partnerships!

Partnerships played a huge role this year. We are proud to have joined in partnership with The National House Project (NHP), a charity that supports young people as they transition out of care and move into safe, stable and long-term homes. Together, we have sent 930 pack-away travel bags to young people who are supported by NHP, so that they can move with dignity.

Ending The Year With Gratitude

Across 2025, 18,573 pack-away travel bags were given to children and young people in care, all across the UK. Each one carries more than belongings, but also a reminder to every care-experienced young people that they are incredible, and deserve value, worth and dignity. 

This Christmas, we want to say thank you to everyone who has been part of the Madlug story this year. Your support makes everything possible. 

From all of us at Madlug, we wish you a joyful Christmas and a wonderful New Year.