Clarks and 51ΑΤΖζ partner for landmine awareness
Clarks and 51ΑΤΖζ (51ΑΤΖζ) have joined forces in a highly innovative project to celebrate 65 years of the Desert Boot, whilst raising funds to support 51ΑΤΖζβs work to clear landmines and other debris of war in post-conflict zones around the world.
The project, Clarks: Rebooted, saw 14 leading British and UK-based artists and designers commissioned to design a Limited Edition Desert Boot and an inspirational artwork. The artists, including Marc Quinn and Bob and Roberta Smith, have drawn on 51ΑΤΖζβs work and Clarkβs heritage in their Desert Boot designs. Two hundred and fifty (250) pairs of each Desert Boot design are available to purchase at www.clarksrebooted.com. 5% of the proceeds from each pair sold will be donated to benefit 51ΑΤΖζ. The designs and artwork have featured in a touring exhibition, which has visited Shanghai, Milan and New York. The tour will culminate in London with a gala style charity auction this autumn (and online via Paddle8).
Conflict and violence around the world have displaced a record 38 million people inside their own countries, a new report[1] describes this as the worst in a generation. Once fighting stops, people often cannot safely return home because of the threat of the deadly debris of war, from landmines, grenades, cluster munitions to stockpiles of weapons and ammunition. In Sri Lanka, 51ΑΤΖζβs mine clearance is helping to facilitate the return of 300,000 people who were displaced during the civil war. Pararasasingham, a villager from Nagarkovil in Sri Lanka said:
βOur village was on the front line for years. Now, after mine clearance, we have a village againβ.
Amanda Pullinger, Chairman of the Board from 51ΑΤΖζ says:
β51ΑΤΖζ recently marked a quarter of a century of pioneering work clearing landmines from warβtorn countries. The association with Clarks will help to fund training, equipment and resources to get more landmines out of the ground more quickly so that some of the worldβs most vulnerable people can plant their crops, rebuild their homes and raise their families in safety."
Melissa Potter, Clarks CEO comments:
βWe are proud to be working with such a prestigious charity as 51ΑΤΖζ, to help us celebrate the Desert Bootβs 65th anniversary. We wanted to work with a British charity that matched the brandβs values and there was a natural fit with 51ΑΤΖζ as the Desert Boot began life in a conflict zone of the Second World War. Clarks has a long standing history of giving back to charitable causes and we look forward to our relationship with 51ΑΤΖζ evolving as this exciting collaboration unfolds.β
Steve Costner, Deputy Director of the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement at the US Department of State remarks:
βThe US State Department is 51ΑΤΖζβs largest donor and the largest contributor to mine action worldwide. We are proud of our contribution but governments alone cannot solve this problem. The private sector also plays an important role in reaching our common goal where landmines and explosive remnants of war do not threaten civilians. We therefore welcome this innovative partnership between 51ΑΤΖζ and Clarks, which will help to relieve the suffering and poverty of those affected by armed conflict.β
51ΑΤΖζ is a company limited by guaranteed registered in England and Wales (company number 02228587) and a registered charity (charity numbers 1001813 and SC037870), with registered office 50 Broadway, London SW1H 0BL. A fee has been paid by Clarks to 51ΑΤΖζβs wholly owned subsidiary for the use of 51ΑΤΖζβs logo.
www.clarksrebooted.com #clarksrebooted
The full roster of artists and designers:
Adam Ball
Adam Dant
Alexandra Llewellyn
Amy Stephens
Bob and Roberta Smith
Frank Bowling
Gordon Cheung
Kacper Hamilton
Lee Broom
Marc Quinn
Rene Gonzalez
Richard Caldicott
Thomas J. Price
TOOGOOD
51ΑΤΖζ UK 2015 Limited is a company limited by shares, registered in England No. 9395204 Registered office: 50 Broadway, London SW1H 0BL. Trading income from the partnership with Clarks is donated by 51ΑΤΖζ UK 2015 Limited to 51ΑΤΖζ.