Best Foot Forward - Celebrating Our Community Of Portishead And Raising Awareness To Those In Kenya

 

SoleLution, an independent shoe shop in Portishead and Clifton is passionate about feet. And not just your feet. But those little feet in need all around the world.

In 2017 SoleLution teamed up with Educate The Kids - a charity who believes in championing children in Africa, through empowerment and education. Educate The Kids and SoleLution’s passion is to help the children in Africa have their needs met, their rights upheld, and their dreams fulfilled.

It All Started With A Dream…

Back in 1998, a trip of a lifetime and a bucket list holiday to Kenya changed the lives of an ordinary English retired couple - Maureen and Ian McIntyre.

On their travels, they had never witnessed such poverty, which broke their hearts. A stark contrast to the lives they lived back in the UK. Noticing how warm and welcoming the people of Kenya are, Maureen and Ian decided to help as much as they could to support the poverty they witnessed - and started by sponsoring one little boy, Samson, in an attempt to change his life. But it wasn’t enough - they should be doing more. They could be doing more.

Putting Our Hearts First…

In 2001 an empty building surrounded by a good piece of land in the middle of six villages was identified and an agreement to rent it was settled. The building was altered and classrooms were formed. The very first Jolaurabi School was o

pened! Although the name sounds African it was actually named after Maureen and Ian’s three grandchildren, who were their inspiration: John, Lauren and Abigail.

Sadly, Ian died in 2018, but it was his wish that the charity must continue to thrive and grow. Ian’s legacy is that his charity - Educate the Kids - has worked hard to build two schools and an orphanage, educating over 800 children!! From little acorns, large trees grow!! And so do our hearts.

Educate The Kids believe education is the key to empowerment, giving hope and ensuring children in Kenya have a secure and happy future. Their motto is “A HAND UP NOT A HAND OUT”.

SoleLution’s Charity Giving…

It’s amazing what conversations can lead to!  Just before the start of the school summer holidays in 2017, a conversation with one customer who wanted to know if SoleLution knew of a charity that could use the shoes their children had grown out of but not worn out, was overheard by another customer who already collected uniform via their school for this “wonderful charity in Kenya who offer a hand up through education rather than a hand up” suggested that they would be more than grateful for some shoes.  We set up a collection box and started collecting shoes.  

Another phone call to say “sorry I haven’t been in touch to say thank you for the shoes as I’ve been in Kenya”, from our contact Sue Stevens, another volunteer from Educate the Kids, then led to me wanting to see where the many shoes we had originally fitted were ending up - I wanted to fit them on their next owners.  Like Maureen and Iain, this was going to be a “trip of a lifetime”, an adventure not to be forgotten, with my son George.  Little would I know that this charity and the children they support would steal a piece of my heart.  

I have been going back to Kenya each year, with a group of local volunteers, carrying all your donated shoes in our suitcases ever since - fitting over 3,500 children with your donated worn but wearable shoes.  

 

Celebrating Our Local Communities of Portishead and Clifton…

On the eve of Friday 13th September 2024, we welcomed our 120 guests with a glass of Prosecco or orange juice and a goody bag full of beauty samples, sweet treats and a mini Gin bottle.

The evening kicked off with a fabulous fashion show, teaming up with some of Portishead’s best ladies’ fashion shops, showcasing beautiful autumn fashion trends of 2024. In collaboration, our amazing volunteer models strutted their favourite outfits from the likes of Raine and Mae, Muse and Flagship Boutique, along with accessories from Ebb and Flo, and of course all the shoes from SoleLution.

Food and drinks were offered throughout the night, where bubbles were flowing, shoes were tapping and everybody was dancing.

 

 

 Bringing The Charity Back To The UK…

We welcomed Simon Sims to the stage to entertain us. Simon was one of the first pupils at Jolaurabi and a member of the original Singing Children of Africa Tour in 2006.  He went on to become the choir master, before moving to the UK and busking his way to fame in Glasgow.

Simon has come a long way since his time spent in Kenya. In 2023, Simon made it through to the final stages of The Voice, with judges Olly Murs and Anne-Marie backing him and falling in love with his voice. His captivating voice turned heads (and chairs!) and got everyone dancing.

After Simon dazzled the crowd with his talents, our Ladies Night introduced our auction with 6 amazing lots:

• Lot 1 - £500 to spend on yourself (or your family) - donated by SoleLution (who co-hosted Ladies Night).

SoleLution stocking fabulous footwear from brands such as: Rieker, Legero, Josef Seibel and Startrite, SoleLution are your local High Street shoe shop – they are passionate about finding the right shoes for you and your family’s soles.

•  Lot 2 – Family Photo Session worth £400 - donated by Leigh Pittaway Photography.

Enjoy an outdoor family photo shoot in a location of your choosing to create some memories. You’ll receive all the digital images of the photo shoot.

•  Lot 3 – Body Transformation Course worth £300 - donated by EPIC Martial Arts Gym.

EPIC Gym will give you weekly accountability, nutritional advice and individual targets, transformation training sessions, meal ideas, fitness testing, before and after pics and unlimited access to classes and gym plus 24/7 support

•  Lot 4 - Teeth Whitening worth £430 - donated by Evolve Dentistry.

 Evolve Dentistry are all about creating beautiful smiles. A modern Portishead Dentist, focusing on preventative care in a welcoming relaxed atmosphere. They also offer all types of general dentistry, braces, cosmetic dentistry, dentures, bonding, whitening and facial aesthetics.

•  Lot 5 – Pamper your feet Bundle worth £225 

Enjoy an Elim Pedicure – a medical grade pedicure worth £52 donated by Tonic Hair and Beauty House, along with a Beauty Footcare Bundle to take home, worth £175 from Dermatonics & Neat Feat Footcare, based at Walnut Grove. 

• Lot 6 – Yoga and Massage Bundle worth £220 

Indulge with a £100 Voucher donated by A Touch of Wellness, plus a 2 month Spirit Kula Pass from Kerrie at Yoga Body Zen Mind.

Over £3000 Raised For Charity…

Our Ladies Night was a huge success, with over £3000 raised for Educate The Kids, bringing love and awareness to our local communities, small in

dependent businesses and local talent.

We couldn’t have raised as much as we did without all your help - our hearts will be forever full.

How Else Can You Help…

Any donation received is always welcomed, however small. Every penny will help

to change the lives of children and families who need your help! To give you an idea:

• £11 a month educates a child, school uniform, exam fees, books and breakfast and lunch every day.
• £25 a month provides secondary school tuition
• £150 a month sponsors a teacher

Or simply donate your worn but wearable shoes to SoleLution, who take them out to Jolaurabi school at the start of their school year in January.

For more information go to www.educatethekids.com