The Raine & Horne Foundation has raised $50,000 for Dignity, an Australian charity making a real difference to the lives of those experiencing homelessness. 

 Dignity currently provides supported temporary accommodation and longer-term stable housing for hundreds of people every night of the year. The charity operates multiple programs to prevent homelessness, including food relief and education across Australia. Since Dignity’s inception, it has provided over 95,000 nights of supported temporary accommodation to people experiencing homelessness. 

 Walking in 1,600 socks

 The Raine & Horne Foundation raised a significant donation by selling 3,000 pairs of Swanky Socks as part of its “Take a walk in their socks” campaign that ran for the entirety of Q4 2021. 

 “For many Australians now working from home because of the pandemic, a tracksuit combined with a swanky pair of socks have replaced conventional business attire,” said Angus Raine, Executive Chairman, Raine & Horne. 

 However, not everyone has the luxury of comfortable footwear. The Raine & Horne Foundation launched “Take a walk in their socks” to ensure more Australians benefit from this basic need. The community campaign aimed to donate hundreds of pairs of new socks to Dignity.

 “We launched the Raine & Horne Foundation in July 2021, and with it – we announced our partnership with Dignity, the charity endeavouring to end homelessness in Australia. 

 “We want to help in a productive way, which is why we joined forces with Swanky Socks for our campaign, Take a walk in their socks. Socks aren’t the first thing that comes to mind when helping to fight homelessness, yet essential in empowering people to find their feet.

 “The Foundation aimed to sell hundreds of socks, so to sell 1,600 units and provide $50,000 in financial support to Dignity is a fantastic first campaign and testimony to the dedication of those working in the Raine & Horne network to get behind this important cause.”

 Buy socks and provide Dignity for others

 The concept of the Take a walk in their socks campaign was simple. Raine & Horne employees ordered a pair of socks valued at $9.95 embossed with the Superbrand’s famous Ampersand from Swanky Socks. Following this transaction, the Raine & Horne Foundation donated a pair of socks directly to Dignity to pass onto guests in their homes and people in need in the community. 

 This came in conjunction with the Raine & Horne Corporate team partaking in Dignity’s corporate volunteering program. The Raine & Horne team helped Dignity prepare for an expected surge in winter, by organising clothes and goods for their guests.

 Ms Suzanne Hopman, CEO of Dignity, agreed that the “Take a walk in their socks” campaign is timely following an increase in demand for Dignity’s services over the last two years of the COVID pandemic. 

 “It is so wonderful to see the Raine & Horne group come together in support of people experiencing homelessness. We often take for granted the simple pleasure of a pair of fresh, new socks, and I am so pleased that we will be able to provide them to our guests.”

 Ms Hopman continued, “The generous support and partnership with Raine & Horne were initiated at a time when Dignity identified a surge in demand for our services due to the ongoing health pandemic.

 “The collaboration with the Raine & Horne Foundation has therefore helped make an impact on the lives of those who need it most.”