International Day of Charity

2024 and it has felt as though more than ever the world is literally crying out for help. There's terrible poverty, war, the refugee crises and although some appear to be waking up to the fact that man-made climate change is real, we need to do more.

Most people will be asking themselves: What can I do? Am I too small to make an impact? And of course there are choices that we can all make that will ripple into a greater impact. Simple actions like opting for a reusable water bottle or bigger actions like giving donations, joining a protest, or just recycling and buying second hand.

Did you know we have  partnered with recycling experts Reskinned? We have a fully fledged pre-loved platform and Take Back scheme so that all of our sandals can be repaired, resold or recycled! Check it out here. (only available in the UK at the moment but you will be the first to know when it launches elsewhere.)

Although it’ll ultimately be policymakers that make the necessary changes, businesses must play a part. So, here are a few of the charities we’ve been backing with donations and financial support.

Sal's Shoes

We recently donated 1,200 pairs of sandals from our EU Hub to Sal's Shoes - a charity working towards delivering and donating children shoes directly to those who need them most. For example our particular donation went to the Syrian refugee camp in Erbil, Iraq and direct to the children and families there feeling war and conflict. 

Care4Calais

Last Summer, during the “Stop the Boats” campaign cruelly launched by the previous UK government, we desperately wanted to do something to help. So reached out to Care4Calais - the leading UK and EU refugee charity working with people fleeing war, conflict and climate change.
Their volunteers are truly wonderful - working tirelessly to help displaced and often traumatised asylum seekers fleeing their homes. In need of basic supplies, shelter, food and clothing, they enthusiastically accepted our donation of 400 pairs of sandals.

“The sandals are now being given to refugee children, and we hear reports coming back of how utterly thrilled they (and the volunteers!) are to have them”
- Care4Calais.

A small act of rebellion and a relationship founded with this much needed charity.
You can support Care4Calais here: Care4Calais

The Marine Conservation Society

Since 2017 our Silver Original, Classic and Shark Sandals have been the official sandals of our charity partner The Marine Conservation Society . We donate 10% from all sales of our silver sandals in the UK directly to this important charity supporting marine conservation - fighting for cleaner, better-protected, healthier oceans.

“The funds raised will support our vital work to clean up our coast, our scientists’ urgent research into preserving and restoring our seas, and our drive to engage and inform. Thanks to fantastic companies like Salt-Water Sandals, we can make a difference”
- MCS.

Join a beach clean and support The MCS here: The Marine Conservation Society

The Young Women’s Trust

Salt-Water Sandals donate 10% of sales of our Original Mustard Sandal to this fabulous feminist organisation working hard to achieve economic justice for young women. They predominantly champion young women aged 18 to 30 on low or no pay and help to create a more equal world of work by raising young women’s incomes.

“Thank you for championing the power and promise of young women and helping to spread the word about our work” - YWT.

Support YWT here: The Young Women’s Trust

The Rainbow Legacy

We donate sandals to The Rainbow Legacy - for women and girls in The Gambia and education for all. The incredible Rainbow legacy gives empowerment and freedom to a community based in The Gambia in West Africa through educational programs and activities and by providing items for their basic needs.

"Massive Thank you Salt-Water Sandals. These sandals are incredible! They have a thick rubber sole so they are lasting and gives a comfy bounce when you walk, but the best thing about them is that when our girls wear them they will mould to fit them for that extra comfort and perfect fit. These are perfect for the girls walking to school as it can be quite a distance, fetching water from the well, and walking to and from the market." - The Rainbow Legacy

Support The Rainbow Legacy here: The Rainbow Legacy

SafeNet

We recently launched our Ambassadors scheme, offering sandals to loyal customers and lovers of Salt-Water active on social media, and received an application from the wonderful @outdoors_izzy. We were initially drawn to her love of the outdoors and her community of women adventurers - as if supporting women cycling across the Arctic wasn’t enough! She also works for the domestic abuse service SafeNet - a charity empowering survivors to live free from domestic abuse and sexual violence.
Many escaping violence have to leave their belongings behind so we gladly donated 300 pairs to some of the women and children living in their refuges.

“Thank you to Salt-Water Sandals who donated 300 pairs of gorgeous sandals to Safenet to distribute across our services. All the children were excited to try them on to see which pair fit. A wonderful donation that has made lots of children happy” - SafeNet.

Support SafeNet here: SafeNet