Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
A warm and fuzzy feeling OutsideIn..
Hats off to the Belfast company spreading love with its a buy-one-give-one method
ISo it’s just six days to the big day. In “normal” times we would be rushing around doing last-minute shopping, getting all dolled up for yet another Christmas party and looking forward to visiting all our nearest and dearest over the festive period. But these are not normal times. And all of the above is cancelled. We are all facing another lockdown as, somehow, we are in an even worse state thatn last year.
So the only thing we’ll be doing that even resembles “normal” times will be lazing round the house feeling comfy and cosy and many of us will be, again, dreaming of a white Christmas – just for something to do!
It is something we always think about and discuss at this time of year, will it snow or won’t it. But as much as I love it, and used to really love playing it as a youngster, I always secretly hope that it doesn’t. The reason being, it always makes me think about the people who don’t have a nice, warm house to laze around in.
The same people who don’t have a big turkey dinner to tuck into or a pile of presents to open.
And they don’t have the luxury of endless Netflix boxsets to amuse them during a potential future lockdown.
So, yes, what we are facing is indeed another dark and gloomy few weeks or even months, who knows. But what we do know is that it will be so much darker and so much gloomier for so many others.
And this is exactly why local company Outside In caught my eye. Founded in 2016 by David Johnston, it operates a unique “Wear One, Share One” model that ensures every single purchase gives back to someone in need. So with the help of Outside In’s customers and Giving Partners, the company has donated more than 98,500 giving products in over 36 countries and 200 cities!
There is now talk of snow falling in certain parts of Northern Ireland over Christmas so no doubt many of us will be looking to buy a new hat, fleece or hoodie to help keep us and our loved ones warm so why not consider buying from Outside In and, in turn, give one to someone in need this winter.
The fact is, if those of us who have nice warm homes to return to feel the need for such products, imagine how absolutely essential they are for those who don’t have a nice warm home to return to. www.weareoi.com