Clothing company teams up with SBH Scotland
NICOLA FINDLAY
An East Kilbride-based husband and wife team are helping a national spina bifida charity in a unique new partnership.
Clothing company Big Bobble Hats has teamed up with Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland (SBH Scotland) to create a special charity hat.
It is run by husband and wife team Ian and Tamara Hockey in the town and they have redesigned one of their most popular products in recognition of the Scottish charity.
The woolly hat, which is complete with an oversized bobble on top, was designed to mirror the colours of the rainbow and also includes the SBH Scotland logo.
This is the first Scottish charity partnership for the company, with profits sales helping to provide continued support to those affected by the lifelong conditions of spina bifida and hydrocephalus.
The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, and the subsequent cancellation of a number of fundraising events, has had a significant and devastating impact on the charity which is expected to lose around £400,000 in fundraising by the end of the year.
More than 3,500 people currently rely on the support services provided by SBH Scotland, which include home visits, financial and care advice and group sessions.
Each year, the charity must raise more than £1million to keep its services running, but reaching the target this year will be tougher than ever.
Big Bobble Hats founder Ian said: “We are extremely proud to support SBH Scotland during what is an unbelievably difficult time.
“Our signature bobble hats have already proved extremely popular with sports fans throughout the country, and we are excited to be exploring a new type of partnership.
“We have some other projects in the works with SBH Scotland so keep your eyes peeled for more designs which we hope to unveil in the coming months.”
Deborah Roe, fundraising director at SBH Scotland, said: “No person, business or organisation has gone unaffected by the coronavirus pandemic.
“The charitable sector, like many others, is under severe pressure, and we are facing a stark reality over the coming months.
“In the face of unprecedented challenges, we are continuing to do all that we can to support our members.
“We have taken our home-visits online, launched new digital workshops and are delivering wheelchair accessible workouts using video technology.
“But, with the cancellation of fundraising events up and down the country, we need our supporters now more than ever.
“The team at Big Bobble Hats are absolutely amazing in what they do, creating eye-catching and stylish designs.
“We might be entering the summer months, but let’s face it… in Scotland it is always a good idea to carry a hat.”
To purchase the limited edition SBH Scotland Bobble Hat, please visit Big Bobble Hats company website.
For more information on SBH Scotland and to keep up to date on other fundraising opportunities taking place across Scotland, visit www.sbhscotland. org.uk