Special Visit from UNIQLO Global Brand Ambassadors Shingo Kunieda and Kei Nishikori to Donate HEATTECH to Kids this Winter – The Heart of LifeWear Vol.2 –
Dec 20, 2024
NEWS
In Japan, UNIQLO will donate a total of 100,000 items of HEATTECH clothing to children living in orphanages around the country, and to those affected by the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake.
On December 5, UNIQLO Global Brand Ambassadors Kei Nishikori, professional tennis player, and Shingo Kunieda, retired professional wheelchair tennis player, paid a visit to an orphanage in Tokyo to personally deliver HEATTECH to the kids there.
The two Ambassadors were delighted to be gifted handmade presents by the kids, which included drawings and letters. Together, they spent a fun time answering the childrens’ questions and taking commemorative photos.
Just before the Ambassadors arrived, about 30 kids gathered in the hall of the children’s center. “Shingo Kunieda is the guy from the textbook, right? He won a gold medal,” the children whispered nervously. When the Principal produced a copy of the textbook to show them, the children’s faces lit up as they realized it was indeed the same Shingo Kunieda.
As soon as the Ambassadors spoke to the children, they ran towards them, excited to show their drawings. “We drew them all together!”
The ambassadors smiled from ear to ear as they looked through the pictures. “They’re so good! Thank you!”
Then it was time to present the HEATTECH gifts. The Ambassadors handed out each item personally, with the kids looking delighted to receive their gifts along with handshakes and warm words of encouragment from Shingo and Kei: “Don't catch a cold!” “Stay warm!” “Wear it often!” “Study hard!”
“I’m an athlete as well, and I’m going to make good use of this!” exclaimed one boy after receiving his gift. “Good luck with your sports, too!” replied the Ambassadors, and the audience cheered and applauded, leaving a big grin on the boy’s face.
UNIQLO, together with its Global Brand Ambassadors, will continue its donations of HEATTECH and other clothing around the world this winter, as part of The Heart of LifeWear initiative.
After the event, Kei Nishikori said, “I had a wonderful time, receiving gifts of drawings from the children, talking with them, and seeing lots of smiles. Winter is approaching and it's getting colder, but I can picture the kids wearing these HEATTECH pieces and feeling stronger. I hope they can enjoy winter without letting the cold weather get to them."
Shingo Kunieda said, “I was so pleased to be a part of this wonderful opportunity on behalf of UNIQLO’s 'The Heart of LifeWear' initiative. It warmed my heart to be able to give HEATTECH directly to the kids, and to see them looking cheerful. They were so lively, which energized me too, and made me very happy."
This clothing donation is part of the “What Makes Life Better?” initiative.
For more information, see: https://www.uniqlo.com/whatmakeslifebetter
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