Charity and Community
Charity and Community
One of our main inspirations and drivers at Kosin is to create a sustainable brand that can benefit local communities, charities or causes as well as operating on a successful commercial basis.
Our younger selves always assumed that other people would sort things out, whether it was someone at work will get that sorted, someone or some charity will help with that appeal, someone else will donate, someone else will volunteer.
We then arrive at a place in our lives where ‘that someone else’ could well be us.
All great words and intentions, but what does that mean on a practical level?
To date we have supported several projects, charities and local level fundraising, including.
Gone Coastal Events - Groundwell, The Other Side of Fear:
We met Matt and the Gone Coastal events via Instagram (social media does have it's uses!) and got talking about how both companies could make a difference, we operate in a similar market just with different offerings. When we were invited to sponsor the showing of Groundwell in the beautiful Regent Cinema in Christchurch (Oct 2023) we knew it was something we would love to be involved with. We discussed the idea of putting on an evening which was more than just a film (by the way the film is Epic!) so Matt reached out to The Wave Project Dorset and also the local Mudeford RNLI.
With a crowdfunder raffle the event raised over £800 that goes straight the RNLI locally and we also got to watch a beautiful short film from The Wave Project called Seb, a surf therapy journey which highlights some of the amazing work they undertake. We cannot wait for the next one.
Climb 2 Recovery:
Set up by wounded veterans for other wounded, injured and sick veterans and service personnel, Climb2Recovery is a charity that offers climbing courses to help with both physical and mental recovery. We aim to make the sport more accessible to both beginners and experienced climbers, whatever their current abilities. Kosin worked with Climb 2 Recovery on a co branded T-shirt for their recent trek (June 2023) to Mount Toubkal in the Atlas Mountains (4167mtrs).
We are looking at other ways to support this team and the great work they do.
The Wave Project Bristol:
In December 2022 we were approached by The Wave Project Bristol to see if we could support their Big Give's Christmas Challenge. We donated several items of clothing for their raffle which raised £1490, The Bristol branch raised £2318 and the whole organisation raised a massive £88,000!
Please do check out the great work the Wave Project under take.
St Ives Community Skate Park:
Co-founder Joel’s family come from St Ives and can be traced back through several generations, local black smiths, and RNLI members to name a few. So, when we became aware of the work at the Skate Park it seemed a logical cause to support. We have donated money to buy safety equipment for their free coaching sessions for under 18’s. This gives local children a chance to come and skate that may not have the funds to buy equipment or pay for coaching. We have also recently donated several prizes to the St Ives Skate Jam (Sept 2022).
Jesus Longboard Classic Polzeath:
We were approached by the legendary Phil Williams from Christian Surfers and asked whether we would like to be involved with the Longboard Classic in October 2022 held at Polzeath. This is an event with a long history and is spoken about in high regard from all levels of surfers who compete. In 2022 Kosin sponsored the under 18s category and donated various prizes.
The 2023 comp was held April 22nd and 23rd, again at Polzeath. Kosin were really proud to offer sponsorship to this event and hope to continue our involvement for many years to come.
Wave Wahines Summer Slide:
I think most people within the UK surf scene are aware of Yvette Curtis and the team at Wave Wahines and the work they do in promoting equality and opportunities for all in surfing, particularly their work with people from different backgrounds, refugees and general anyone who hasn’t necessarily come to surfing via the traditional route. When we heard they were holding their first ever competition and participation weekend in June 2022, we felt it was something we really wanted to be involved with.
Both Andy and Joel have young daughters who love the sea and to surf and to feel that someone is flying the flag for them and others made us feel proud. It was a pleasure to donate prizes for all categories in the competition and at to attend the event.
196 Foundation:
If you like to plod the pavements, spare a thought for Nick Butter. This guy is extreme when it comes to running, his recent round the UK marathon challenge was quite insane, he ran 200 marathons in 128 days around the coast of Great Britain as well as being one of the only people to run a marathon in every country of the world!
Nick has setup the 196 foundation a democratic charity where contributing members choose the causes to be supported, Nick then takes part in crazy challenges to promote the work of the charity. We have been supporting Nick since May 2021 and the 196 Foundation and will continue to do so.
365 Sea Swim Challenge:
Swimming in open water for 365 days without a wetsuit…. does this sound like your type of fun? Well, the crazy team at 365 set up this challenge several years ago and since have raised tens of thousands of pounds for local charities, initially in South Devon but it has now spread throughout the UK. The benefits of cold-water emersion are well documented and throw in raising money for good causes then it seems like a perfect partnership. We approached the 365 team and asked if we could help raise money for them. We spent time designing and prototyping a charity collaboration long and short sleeve t-shirt. For everyone item sold we donate profits to one of their chosen charity partners. Currently we are donating to The Seal Project based in Brixham, South Devon. We have also supplied various jumpers, beanies to help with some of their members to raffle off as prizes to assist with their individual fundraising efforts.
The Bluetits Winter Challenge (Chilly Chums with Frosty Bums)
We were approached in Autumn 2022 by the Bluetits to support their winter challenge, for those who may not know who the Bluetits are, then let us explain!
There are around 100,000 Bluetits worldwide who are joined together by a love of swimming, adventure, and the sense of community that brings. They are not an official club, there are no membership fees and anyone is welcome at any of the informal swims arranged in the groups.
Kosin sponsored 20 places for the members of the Saunton/Croyde, Putsborough/Baggy point swimmers. We have surfer there in the cold and appreciate what these swimmers must feel like during the winter months.
We are all aware of the benefits of exposure to cold water but something that really spoke to us about this challenge is that this year they are focussing on combatting loneliness, getting people out during the colder, darker winter months to focus on something positive with friends is something we can get right on board with (excuse the pun).
The Kosin Foundation:
Currently this is very much in the planning and quite possibly a pipe dream, but our long-term goal is twofold. Grow Kosin on a commercial basis so it can sustain itself and allow us to reinvest into the business.
Part of this reinvestment is to create the Kosin foundation, this would be funded by profits from Kosin and potentially several other similar businesses. We would then look to provide opportunities for people to experience surfing and the outdoors that come from less privileged positions and that don’t have access to the beach and waves. We would also look to support more community projects that promote being outdoors and that promote our awesome sport and other similar pastimes.
Basically, going back to our original quote ‘that someone else could be us’.