Sunderland businesses are being encouraged to put their best foot forward and seek out their odd socks, to help raise funds for a very special cause.
On November 2, Sunderland Business Improvement District is hosting a Wear Odd Socks To Work Day to raise money for North East-based St Oswald’s Children’s Hospice and their Great North Snowdogs initiative.
And now Ken Dunbar, Chief Executive at the city’s Business Improvement District is encouraging local companies to get behind the day.
“Much like the socks that keep the ears on the traditional Snowdog warm, we want to see the people of Sunderland wearing their oddest pair in aid of this fantastic cause,” said Ken.
“We’re especially keen on local businesses to get involved, and hope as many as possible will encourage their staff and customers to don their snazziest socks and really get in the fundraising spirit.
“Everyone has odd socks in their sock drawer so there’s no excuse for not taking part.”
Anyone taking part in Wear Odd Socks To Work Day is asked to pledge a minimum of £2, with all proceeds going straight to St Oswald's Children’s Hospice.
Donations can be made by texting GNSD16 to 70070.
Those participating are also encouraged to Tweet, Facebook and Instagram pictures of their odd socks with the hashtag #GreatNorthSnowdogs.
The initiative is being supported by the Sunderland Working Group which has brought together snowdog sponsors in the city to help promote the Wearside part of the trail.
Organisations including Gentoo, the Bridges, Healthy High Streets, CHUF, Stagecoach, The Galleries, the National Glass Centre, Pet n Pony, Primary Times and Nexus have been working together on joint promotions around the trail.
Great North Snowdogs, which is the brainchild of creative producers Wild in Art, in partnership with North East charity, St Oswald's Children’s Hospice, is a public art trail inspired by the story The Snowman™ and The Snowdog, by Raymond Briggs.
Artists from far and wide spent the summer decorating the 61 canine sculptures, which make up the Great North Snowdogs trail, across North and South Tyneside, Gateshead, Sunderland and Newcastle.