Helping Feet: Ethical Footwear - TOMS ‘One for One’ campaign - By Kev Callus

‘With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One. Using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good is what we're all about.’
I like helping people as most people do. We’re asked on many occasions to donate money or to give up some of our time to help those less fortunate than ourselves. Today I was approached at least twice on my normal day-to-day hustle and bustle journey to and from work. ‘Do you have change Sir? Can I sign you up for donating by direct debit each month? Do you want to sponsor a cat? It’s for a good cause’. However we’re also constantly warned that we may not be helping even if we genuinely want to. Would that homeless person just accept my money then go to the shop and buy a four pack of Special Brew? (I have in the past had to physically step over a homeless person during the day whilst he was sprawled out on the pavement holding a can of Special Brew)...How do we know if we are actually making positive strides by wilfully offering financial aid?

I have a slightly funny story. After a drunken night, I got quite leary and challenged a friend of mine to eat eight burgers in one sitting. He then responded, “I’ll do better than that, I’ll eat ten!” I offered to pay for ten burgers as long as he demolished them all. Ten burgers were served up and we soon attracted a crowd of hungry homeless Polish people who could not understand this challenge that I had laid down. They had not eaten for ten days; yet there was some foolish boy attempting to devour ten burgers in one go! Anyway, I’m going off the point here. The point is, that my ambitious and formally hungry friend could not finish off the burgers. I felt generous and donated the remaining now cold burgers to the unfortunates sitting on either side of me on the cold pavement by Old Street station. To my delight, I witnessed firsthand the burgers going down well. I was happy! I would rather give food than money as I know its money well spent. I was out of pocket, my now full, fat, silly friend was feeling sick and the Polish homeless people were satisfied...

I guess the point I’m trying to make is that when I buy a pair of these shoes I know that someone out there will receive something they actually need but are not fortunate enough to have.


TOMS – A brand with a fantastic ethos. For every pair of shoes that is purchased, a pair is donated to a child in need. Not only can you buy some cool espadrilles but you know your money is going to a worthy cause. I like my sneakers, fashion, etc. But I also have some strong views on how the world works and what goes on upon this planet.
I’ll finish with this blog post about TOMS releasing limited editions for MO-vember - a cause which raises awareness for men’s health. Limited edition styles will be released in aid of the great cause to help raise awareness and also to allow women to participate in this campaign.

More info at....

Toms.com

UK Movember.com

Thanks for reading,

Kev.