Raine & Horne Foundation launches winter sock drive to support Australians experiencing homelessness

For many Australians, winter is a time to rug up in a warm jacket and a snug pair of socks. But for thousands doing it tough, even basic essentials such as socks remain out of reach.

To help address this need, the Raine & Horne Foundation has teamed up again with charity partner Dignity to launch its winter sock donation campaign. The initiative aims to donate 1,500 pairs of warm, high-quality socks to Australians experiencing homelessness.

A pair for a pair

For every limited-edition pair of Raine & Horne-branded Swanky Socks purchased by Raine & Horne staff, the Foundation will donate a non-branded pair to Dignity, which will distribute them to individuals in need across its 45 accommodation and food relief locations across Australia.

“It is so wonderful to see the Raine & Horne group come together to support people experiencing homelessness,” said Suzanne Hopman, CEO of Dignity.

“We often take for granted the simple act of pulling on a pair of new, warm socks, and I am so pleased that we can provide them to our guests and people in need in the community.”

Angus Raine, Executive Chairman of Raine & Horne, said the initiative builds on the Foundation’s long-standing support of Dignity, which began during the height of the 2021 COVID-19 lockdowns.

“Socks aren’t the first thing that comes to mind when helping to fight homelessness, which is why they’re often overlooked, yet they’re essential for keeping warm as the mercury plummets in winter,” Mr Raine said.

“We want to help in a productive way, which is why we’ve joined forces again with Swanky Socks. This campaign is a small step that can make a big difference.”

To date, the Raine & Horne Foundation has contributed over $300,000 to Dignity, supporting the charity’s mission to empower people experiencing homelessness with dignified care and support needed to find their path forward. Currently, Dignity supports up to 450 people each night in supported temporary accommodation and longer-term housing and provides over 200,000 food relief meals each year.

In 2022, Dignity named one of their guest houses, Raine & Horne Foundation House, to show its appreciation for the Raine & Horne Foundation’s continued support. This house, located in Western Sydney, provides self-contained temporary accommodation for people experiencing homelessness, including men, women, and couples, with on-site support. With 11 furnished, self-contained units, the House offers over 4000 nights of accommodation per year.

The 2025 winter sock campaign officially launched to the Raine & Horne network on Monday, 2 June. Raine & Horne staff can pre-order their Ampersand-embossed Swanky Socks.