Over 1.5 billion people, including 300 million children, are without adequate footwear around the world.
STA Travel, in conjunction with Soles4Souls, are hoping to decrease this number, one step at a time.
Westfield Penrith’s STA Travel is just one of 20 stores chosen Australia wide to participate in the initiative.
Over the month of November, the public are encouraged to donate a pair of ‘gently worn’ or brand new shoes by heading to their local STA Travel and putting the shoes in the charity bin.
“We feel a sense of pride in ourselves that we are able to participate in this campaign,” Store Manager, Sarah McGrath said.
“Not everyone would think of shoes as a decent donation to a cause but it’s definitely a necessity for people.”
The initiative is being run as part of STA’s November ‘my next step’ campaign that offers people a chance to win a return trip anywhere in the world, a G Adventures tour and $2,000 spending money.
Any shoes donated will go to people both in Australia and abroad.
“We ask for almost new shoes or brand new shoes,” Ms McGrath said.
“It might be that you bought a size too small or that you can’t get a refund for a sale item.”
Men’s, women’s and children’s shoes are needed.
“I would love if the box got filled and it was that heavy that two people had to carry it out,” Ms McGrath said.
To participate in STA’s ‘my next step’ campaign, upload a creative photo of your shoes to Instagram, comment with ‘#mynextstep’ with your dream destination and tag @statravel.
For more information on these campaigns you can visit http://www.statravel.com.au.
