Introducing HUGS: a new product range doing good things

HUGS is our purpose-led merch range that turns everyday promotional products into meaningful change.

Have you ever thought about sharing a hug with your merch?

…That’s definitely a sentence I never thought I’d write.

And no, we’re not talking about actually hugging your new pen, notebook, or waterbottle (although, go ahead - it might make you feel better).

We’re actually referring to our new HUGS product range, where a proportion of the sales from four core products goes to helping the charity HUGS - Helping Uganda Schools.

In this post, we’ll:

• Delve into what HUGS is, and what their mission as a charity is
• Expand on how the charity helps Ugandan Schools
• Explore the HUGS product range

If you’re interested in finding out more about our HUGS merch or any other of our Products with a Positive Impact range, get in touch with us today, and we’ll happily help turn your merch into yet another feel-good touchpoint.

Key takeaways

• Purposeful merch with measurable impact
• Fixed donations per product - transparent giving
• Supporting education, sanitation and community development
• Backed by HUGS, a trusted charity with 30 years of impact
• Easy to include in any merch campaign

HUGS at a glance

• Supporting education since 1995
• £1.5m invested in schools and community projects
• 1,700+ children educated in a single year
• 8 schools developed, including a special needs school

• Every product donates directly to HUGS

Who are HUGS?

HUGS stands for Helping Uganda Schools.

It all began back in 1995, when HUGS raised enough money to send 15 vulnerable Ugandan children living in an impoverished rural area to school.

And an idea took hold.

What if they could fund school projects in Uganda to help more children gain access to an education and transform their lives?

Since 1995, the charity has:

• Helped develop 8 schools, including the very first Special Needs school in western Uganda
• Invested £1.5 million into worthwhile projects

• Funded latrines and sanitation
• Provided an IT lab at a secondary school
• Supported a women’s cooperative, helping them earn money to educate their children
• Sponsored primary, secondary and university students
• Paid for school meals for reception classes
• Ensured malaria protection for residential children
• Paid for sight treatments and hearing aids
• Provided vocational skills training opportunities within schools
• Funded the creation of an income-generating coffee plantation
• Paid for water catchment facilities
• Organised teacher exchange programmes

Photograph by: Richard Bircher

HUGS’ mission

HUGS’ mission is to support the building and development of schools in Uganda and other African countries, as well as helping make access to education opportunities easier for children and young adults, from school right through to university.

Photograph by: Richard Bircher

How does HUGS work?

HUGS works with a network of trusted and motivated representatives. These are people with the drive, commitment and creativity to make things actually happen on the ground.

These representatives set the direction of their projects, and HUGS helps to advise and finance them to completion.

The charity then brokers trusted, continued relationships between the schools and these organisations, which in turn provide future project opportunities.

Basically, a LOT of teamwork.

3 HUGS projects

1. DOKOLO SCHOOL, Adagmon, Uganda, (Rural girls' school)

A not-so-fun fact: Only 1:10 girls go to secondary school in this area.

The school also had no running water, long drop latrines, and only 50 of the girls had beds.

HUGS supported Dokolo back in 2021 by building a brick-built kitchen with fuel-efficient stoves, plus building and furnishing an additional dormitory block so that all students can sleep safely and comfortably in proper accommodation.

Photograph by: Richard Bircher

2. St. FRANCIS de SALES, NURSERY SCHOOL FOR DEAF CHILDREN, Jinja, Uganda, (Special needs school)

HUGS funded a whole school, focusing on providing education to deaf children.

The school is built in partnership with the Jinja Organisation of Parents of Deaf Children, a grassroots collective of parents and professionals concerned with the well-being of children with disabilities.

Set in 5 acres of beautiful land for future development, the school is designed to be particularly safe, with a central quadrangle and protected walkways.

Photograph by: Richard Bircher

3. LITTLE SHEPHERD SCHOOL, Rutunguru, Uganda (Primary school and nursery in a remote area)

Starting in 2015, HUGS funded the building of 7 classrooms, water catchment, latrines and a sports field for this remote primary school and nursery.

They also funded the development of a coffee plantation, which will pay for 20 of the most impoverished children, every year, to attend school.

Our HUGS collection

What is our HUGS collection?

Our HUGS collection is a selection of specially chosen products that, when purchased as part of your merchandise campaign, donate a portion of their sales to the charity HUGS.

How do these donations help?

These donations go towards helping HUGS provide:

• Education and community development initiatives
• Closer water catchment facilities
• Essential school supplies
• Safe water sources
• Sanitation

What products are included?

From notebooks to bottles, our HUGS collection is made up of four core items, making fitting them into your promotional merch strategy a breeze.

1. A5 Premium Nevus Mole Notebook

• Recycled PU outer cover - will survive in your bag
• 80 perforated sheets - plenty of to-do list space
• 100gsm cream recycled paper with gun metal edging - your lists will look fancy
• Has a back pocket - for your secret poetry
• Double bookmark ribbons - never lose your page
• Elastic band closure - keep everything neat and tidy
• Pen loop with gun metal stud - what’s a notebook without a pen?

Plus, 10p from every notebook sold is donated to HUGS.

2. Bilby 750ml Recycled Sports Bottle

• Made from recycled PET plastic - good for the environment
• 750ml - the perfect amount for a gym workout
• Screw-on lid and a push/pull spout - no leaks here!
• BPA and PVC-free - because we’re not about that
• Comes in multiple colours - for the best brand impact

And, 20p goes to HUGS to provide sanitation, latrines and water catchment facilities in Uganda.

Fun fact: x600 bottles build x1 stand pipe, which directly helps 25 people to access a safe water source.

3. Refresh Recycled Ball Pen

• Has a recycled aluminium barrel - making it light and user-friendly
• Features a natural bamboo plunger - creates a harmonious blend between nature and modernity.
• Includes a gun metal clip - adds a touch of class

Also, 5p from every pen sold is donated to HUGS, supporting the supply of essential stationery to children.

Fun fact: off the back of last year’s Refresh pen sales alone, £9000 will be donated to the HUGS charity!

4. Sambourne 550ml Flask Bottle

• 550ml - perfect for a hike
• Double-walled stainless steel - insulates and creates a vacuum seal that effectively keeps your beverage hot or cold.
• Rope handle - for practicality and portability

20p from every bottle will be donated to HUGS.

Question time! Frequently Asked Questions about our HUGS product range

1. How much is donated per product?

Each item includes a fixed donation: notebooks (10p), pens (5p), sports bottles (20p) and flask bottles (20p).

2. Where does the money go?

All donations support HUGS projects in Uganda, funding education, water access, sanitation and essential school supplies.

3. Is HUGS a legitimate charity?

Yes - HUGS has been operating since 1995 and has invested £1.5 million into long-term education and community projects.

4. Can HUGS products be mixed with other merch?

Yes. They work seamlessly alongside other products in a wider campaign.

5. Can we talk about the impact in our campaign?

Definitely. We’ll help you communicate the story and the difference your merch is making.

Give HUGS in your next campaign

In 2019, HUGS educated over 1,700 children, and by opting for products from our HUGS range for your next campaign, you’ll be helping more children achieve their dreams.

Not too bad for a bit of promo merch, eh?

If you’re interested in finding out more about our HUGS merch or any other of our Products with a Positive Impact range, get in touch with us today, and we’ll happily help turn your merch into yet another feel-good touchpoint.