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A successful initiative he was involved with during his days in Wellington has prompted Sam Bacon to attempt to help some underprivileged school children in Auckland.
Bacon is attempting to get his hands on 650 jerseys and jackets to give to children at the Point England School and wants to make the Global Cartel Clothing Drive an annual event.
"During lockdown I decided I really wanted to do something to give back to the community and this seemed like such an obvious idea because my mum has already done that," said Bacon, who was 15th with Henry Gautrey at last year's 49er junior world championships. "It makes a huge difference to a kid’s day.
"There are a lot of clothing drives but I feel like the good thing with this project is that it becomes a lot more personalised because people might throw their old clothes into those bins but don’t know what happens to them. With a project like this, it’s obvious to see the effect it has on the kids. I think it’s pretty cool."
Bacon helped his mother with a similar clothing drive in Wellington when Scots College students donated items for a decile one school in Porirua. Bacon saw firsthand the effect it had on those children given he was the one who delivered the clothes.
He thought of helping Point England School while running past during lockdown and he's also in talks with an Auckland secondary school about making it one of their annual projects.
Bacon has so far obtained 50 items in just over a week and is happy to pick up offers of donations in Auckland. He's also willing to pay the cost for others to transport their clothes to him.
"I just want to make it as easy as possible for people," he said.
See here for more information on the Global Cartel Clothing Drive or email Bacon on cartelclothingdrive@gmail.com.
- Sam Bacon and Henry Gautrey train with Japan's top 49er crew. Photo: Adam Mustill Photography.
