Sneakers have become a way of life for 24-year-old Tongan entrepreneur Christian Prescott.
He operates Sneaker Clean NZ, the country’s first professional sneaker-cleaning business where many sneakerheads entrust their coveted kicks for a top notch glean.
And after seeing the impacts of Covid-19 on rangatahi in South Auckland, last year Prescott launched Clean For A Cause, a charity which has managed to donate over 500 pairs of sneakers to youth within the community.
“I’ve seen my South Auckland whānau and our communities struggle more than ever due to the impact of Covid-19,” Prescott says.
“Understanding there are whānau who don’t have shoes, drove us to find a way to fill that need…we believe we all should have access to sturdy footwear.”
And Prescott’s own need to empower and provide footwear for his community has seen him team up with Mana Pasifika to launch Aotearoa’s first charitable sneaker drive, Outsole.
“Outsole refers to the section of the sneaker that meets the ground,” Prescott explains.
“It’s the foundation that the sneaker is built on, a sturdy outsole allows traction and stability in our framework. Outsole also refers to staying grounded.”
The sneaker donation event aims to collect as many pairs of sneakers and put them “on the feet of Kiwi kids in need.”
Attendees can donate used sneakers to the charity as well as buy, sell and trade sneakers with other footwear enthusiasts.
He says the event grew from a desire to do more for local rangatahi, “I see Outsole growing into a meaningful movement for our whānau.”
“Everyone who comes on the day will be able to meet others in the community and enjoy the atmosphere, while getting behind such an awesome cause.”
Outsole will feature an exciting lineup of music, food and giveaways, together with local community icons and fresh fades from Cold Classics Barbershop NZ.
Outsole will be held on Saturday 11th June from 10am-2pm at the Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau.
Click here to register.
