FASHION brand TOMS is supporting a worldwide movement this month that asks the world to go without shoes for one day a year.
The no shoes campaign is in aid of making a difference for millions of children around the world whose lives are impacted from not being to protect their feet.
Last year’s One Day Without Shoes was a global event – over 1,000 events in over 25 countries were held worldwide, including the UK, Greece, Australia, South Africa, Kenya, Japan, South Korea, Puerto Rico and Mexico. People of all ages took their shoes off to spark conversations and spread awareness together.
A lot of famous feet turned out, too, including Demi Moore, Charlize Theron, Heather Graham, Lenny Kravitz, The National, Cut Copy, Bucky Lasek, Juan Pablo Angel and others.
In Soho hundreds of TOMS fans in the UK turned up to experience ‘One Day Without Shoes’. Side by side without their shoes, supporters walked through Carnaby Street, a heavily-trafficked shopping street in Soho, and ‘experienced the walk’ by traipsing through samples of rugged terrain to simulate conditions experienced by so many children living in poverty.
Basic shoes can help protect against injury, and in combination with basic hygiene and sanitation, help prevent disease and soil-transmitted infections. 30,000 people live on one landfill in the Philippines, where many are without shoes and are exposed to broken glass, syringes and debris.
Excitement is now brewing for the London event on Tuesday 10th of this month. TOMS is hosting its 5th annual ‘Day Without Shoes’ event and invites people to stop by for a day of music, food, art & crafts and other barefoot happenings.
Those that take their shoes off and attend barefoot at 6pm will be offered free coffee, burritos, flowers and other treats while enjoying live music by Matthew and The Atlas. The event will finish with a barefoot walk towards The London Eye.
TOMS was founded on the premise that with every pair of shoes someone purchases, a pair of new shoes will be given to a child in need. TOMS’ founder and chief shoe giver Blake Mycoskie said, “This movement is about raising awareness and asking people to do something – anything – without shoes.
“We are so eager to see the world’s participation this year. So, do what you normally do – just without shoes and help start the conversation.”
In 2006, American traveler Blake Mycoskie befriended children in a village in Argentina and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he created TOMS, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. One for One. To date, TOMS has given over 2 million pairs of new shoes to children through giving partners across the world.
