Main Image via Highsnobiety
As far as footwear goes, one can never go wrong with the good ol’ pair of sneakers. Their wide range of designs, materials, and colours make them so versatile they can be used for everything from sports to a trip to the mall to walking down the red carpet.
But while for most, sneakers are just something they have to put on to complete their look and to protect their feet, for these 5 individuals, the love for sneakers may have changed their lives and the lives of the people around them…
The legless sneaker collector
Image via Sole Collector
After being involved in a car accident that caused him both his legs, Matt Ferber fell into depression that led to him abandoning his passion for collecting sneakers. But, through the support of his family and therapy, he has rekindled his love for sneakers and even plans on doing motivational speaking and opening up his own sneaker store.
The social media star with a heart of gold
Image via Rolling Stone
Having achieved viral popularity from their Damn Daniel videos, friends Daniel Lara (right) and Josh Holz (left) were invited to be on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, where host Ellen DeGeneres gifted Daniel Lara with a lifetime supply of Vans sneakers.
What’s amazing about this story is that Daniel then proceeds to donate the shoes to a children’s hospital.
The officer who serves, protects, and gives
Image via Daily Mail Online
No matter your age, bullying or being bullied is never acceptable. When 9-year old Adam Flowers was physically harmed by a teenage girl for wearing old shoes, his grandmother decided to report the incident to the police.
This prompted officer Trinicholas Carswell to not only issue a warning to the girl’s parents about her actions, but he also proceeded to buy Adam a new pair of Air Jordans.
The collector who learned important life lessons from collecting sneakers
Image via Sneaker Bar Detroit
Johnny was quick to catch the sneaker addiction after being shown a pair of Nike SB, but as many of us know, shoes are not the cheapest thing in the world, and collecting them as a hobby can be a strain on one’s finances.
But, a lack of moolah did not stop this avid collector from his passion. Instead, he began to raise funds through buying and selling sneakers, making a handsome profit and learning a valuable life lesson; how to make smart investments.
The giver with a sole
Image via Vimeo
Meet Rikki Mendias, then sneakerhead, now “Sneaker Saint” and founder of Hav A Sole, a non-profit organisation dedicated to providing good quality, comfortable sneakers to the homeless in the city of Los Angeles.
The amazing thing about Hav A Sole is the fact that they give away sneakers such as Air Jordans, not just hand-me-downs. This guy is totally deserving of the “Sneaker Saint” title lah.
In the spirit of giving, JD Sports, Undisputed King of Trainers is giving you the chance to win yourself a pair of exclusive sneakers through the hitz JD Sneaker Hunt.
Winning is easy-peasy, just tune in to hitz fm or check out hitz fm’s Facebook and Instagram for clues. Use the clues you’ve gathered to locate the “JD King of Trainers” and ask “Are you the JD King of Trainers?”, and you’ll walk away with something stylishly cool on your feet.