Little steps, big impact: our 2021 report
We want to say thank you. In 2021, we were fortunate enough to continue our work with Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) and Camp Quality and that’s because you shopped with us, donated, or helped us spread awareness. Come along as we recap the highlights of our partnerships.
Back in April, we teamed up with Clarks to participate in Aspect’s Walk for Autism. Aspect is Australia’s largest service provider for people on the autism spectrum. We’re proud to have had partnered with Aspect since 2018 when we established our autism friendly appointments out of hours. We continue to run these appointments across all our standalone stores. Funds raised from Shoes & Sox during the Walk for Autism campaign went on to fund a community engagement project for autistic students attending Aspect South East Sydney School. The program has been a wonderful opportunity for the students to develop their social, communication and other life skills when accessing the local community for grocery shopping, café and hairdresser visits and other activities. Later in the year, we introduced a range of sensory toys, with 10% of the proceeds donated to Aspect. This donation has enabled Aspect to purchase toys and play items for play and care packs which were distributed to all Aspect students and their families during the long COVID related lockdown and home-schooling period a little earlier this year.
Make an autism friendly appointment
Camp Quality gives kids facing cancer the chance to be kids again. Camp Quality’s services and programs are created specifically to support children aged up to 15 years, who are dealing with their own cancer diagnosis, or the diagnosis of someone they love, like a brother, sister, mum, dad, or carer. In September, we teamed up with Camp Quality on a donation pledge and awareness drive across our digital platforms. The funds raised from Shoes & Sox enabled 341 children to go on a memorable Camp Quality Family Fun Day where they got to have a break from cancer. Camp Quality’s Big Walk for Little Kids raised $3.6 million in total with over 14,000 people walking across the country over September.
