Socks are an essential part of every day wear. But did you know that by buying a pair featuring some of Bristol's best known landmarks, you could actually be helping homeless people across the city?
The socks are produced by social enterprise Stand4Socks and feature Bristol landmarks such as the Clifton Suspension Bridge, the city’s cathedral and its famous balloons.
And they have proved a real hit with customers, with the Bristol landmark socks being the most popular pair on the website, outselling designs featuring skylines of London, Manchester and more.
For every pair of Bristol socks purchased, at a cost of £12.99, the buyer also donates a pair to a homeless individual in the city.
Thousands of pairs have been handed out to homeless shelters and charities.
The grey and white anti bacterial socks are like a hiking sock and made specifically for people who are on their feet a lot.
Research shows the average homeless person can walk up to 10 miles a day.
Josh Turner set up Stand4Socks in 2015.
Initially it worked with United National Global Goals charities, donating cash to a variety of causes across the world for every pair sold.
But over recent years the organisation has focused more on helping the homeless.
Josh said: “Socks are the most requested item by homeless shelters.
"This is because socks are rarely donated, as we wear through them and wouldn't donate old smelly socks with holes - unlike old coats, coffee or money.
“This leads to lots of foot issues for the people most in need.
"We went out and created the most suitable sock for homeless people, donating a pair with each we sell.
“It’s a buy one, give one scheme.
“The beauty is that every pair of Bristol socks purchased goes to help someone in Bristol
.And the Bristol socks have proved popular - as well as helping those in need.
“The Bristol sock is our best performing sock for sales,” said James.
“And perhaps that’s because people recognise there is an issue with homelessness in the city and want to help.”
The firm also do socks featuring other city skylines including London and Manchester, where it is based.
It also sells pairs with the faces of famous individuals on including Joe Exotic, The Gallagher brothers and Ed Sheeran.
Prices range up to £15.
To date Stand4Socks has donated over 75k,000 pairs to people in need in the communities of its customers
To find out more visit www.stand4socks.com
