Our Shoes Campaign - Program for TY Coordinators - TY Student Councils and Green Schools
Our Shoes Campaign is currently running and registration is now open and all details are below
See their St Patrick’s Day poster that will be of help to you to introduce our Charity and Campaign and some information below. (more resources available at https://www.ourshoes.ie/resources)
Transition Year is an excellent time for exploration and personal development, and they believe that engaging in charity projects will provide your students with rewarding and enriching experiences.
They encourage them to seize this opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of children in need.
They are an Irish Charity that collects donated preloved sports boots & runners for donation to NGO programs in the townships of Cape Town
They are always looking for boots for children to play sport; You cannot play rugby / football in flipflops!
This program covers environmental and social challenges; they hope to get approval for inclusion with the Green Flag program under Biodiversity and Travel.
From 1st of March, you can register your School / Club on our website (www.ourshoes.ie)
Details of Campaign
How Your School or Club Can Get Involved:
They're inviting every national & secondary school and sports club in Ireland to take part in Our Shoes 2026.
Getting involved is simple: -
Register your school/club on our website (www.ourshoes.ie) from March 1st to April 30th, 2026.
Collect pre-loved sports shoes in large boxes at your convenience.
Request a collection on their website from 7th April to 30th April (closing date).
This request will be sent to DPD, DPD will contact your school or club and book a date and time for collection with you.
Our partners DPD will collect directly from your school between April 13th and 30th or agreed date.
Your donation is brought to Sligo, where they re-box and check quality. They then load on a container in June and it reaches Cape Town less than 60 days later on sea freight.
Once there, donations are managed and distributed by their Trustee and team.
Ensuring your donation reach children and communities in need as promised.
Catherine is available to discuss any questions at any time on (087 90 90020) or by email
Together, let’s step forward and create a brighter future for those in need!
Our Shoes: Giving Every Child a Step Towards a Brighter Future
Who We They:
Our Shoes is a passionate initiative dedicated to collecting pre-loved sports shoes from families, schools, and businesses across Ireland and delivering them to children in need in Southern Africa. Founded in 2019 after a life-changing visit to the Khayelitsha township in Cape Town, our mission is clear: to connect acts of kindness with those who need them most. In our journey, we have delivered over 50,000 pairs of shoes, transforming lives through access, dignity, and opportunity.
Why Shoes?
A pair of shoes can be the pivotal factor between a hopeful and a bleak future. In South Africa, school attendance and sport participation are often reliant on having proper footwear. Shoes offer protection, dignity, and self-esteem, yet they can be incredibly difficult to obtain in underprivileged communities. Beyond the classroom, shoes empower children to engage in sports, laying the groundwork for a healthier and more hopeful future.
A Project with Many Layers:
Our Shoes is much more than simply a shoe donation program. The impact of every collected pair resonates across multiple dimensions:
1. Transforming Lives in Africa. Shoes facilitate access to education by fulfilling school uniform requirements. Our partnerships with 12 sporting NGOs ensure that children receive not only footwear but also mentorship, safe spaces, and support networks. Sports programs help cultivate life skills, build mental resilience, and often enable children to break free from cycles of poverty and violence. Through these collaborations, we create safe environments for youth to address critical issues like gender-based violence and mental health challenges.
2. Inspiring Young People in Ireland. Schools and Clubs throughout Ireland play a crucial role in our mission. Our campaign allows students to experience the power of giving, gratitude, and global awareness. Many student councils embrace the initiative, leading their schools and clubs to make a meaningful impact. Our Shoes also opens the door to understanding Africa, helping students grasp global inequality and appreciate their own privileges.
3. Environmental Impact. Sports shoes carry a high carbon footprint and are notoriously challenging to recycle. Without initiatives like ours, they often end up in landfills. By extending the life of a pair of shoes, we actively reduce waste and contribute to a more sustainable future.
4. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) & ESG Impact. Our Shoes provides Irish companies with a meaningful avenue to fulfil Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals. We are proud to partner with key organizations such as Smurfit Kappa, UPS, DPD, Decathlon, and Munster Rugby, ensuring our mission resonates at every level.
Where Do the Shoes Go?
Upon arrival in Cape Town, shoes are distributed through our key African partner, CATCH Trust, and Meals on Wheels, ensuring they reach children in townships, schools, and community sports clubs. Shoes have made their way into Colesberg, Nyanga, Oranjekrag, Hangberg, and Khayelitsha, as well as Lesotho, where football programs support children orphaned by AIDS-related illnesses.
Join us in giving every child a chance to walk towards a better future—one pair of shoes at a time.
👉 Visit OurShoes.ie to register from March 1st, 2026!
