The Heart of LifeWear Vol.4
Jan 24, 2025
NEWS
UNIQLO Delivers HEATTECH to Children, Along with a Heartfelt Message from Ayumu Hirano
On January 6, 2025, UNIQLO employees visited the Wakakusa children’s home in Niigata Prefecture to deliver HEATTECH items, along with a special video message and autographed jerseys from UNIQLO Global Brand Ambassador and professional snowboarder Ayumu Hirano. Although Hirano was unable to attend in person, everyone was pleased with the unexpected surprise from the local hero.
The first stop was Murakami City Skate Park, where Hirano was practicing recording his message for the children of Wakakusa. “It’s still a cold winter in Niigata, but I hope that all of you will wear HEATTECH, warm your body, and enjoy sports and other types of exercise,” said Hirano, who skateboarded around the park to the delight of the children, a scene captured in the video message. He also enthusiastically signed the outerwear and T-shirt that he wears in competitions.
Later that evening, UNIQLO staff delivered the HEATTECH items to the kids at Wakakusa, along with Hirano's video message that was filmed earlier, and the clothing he had autographed for them. About 30 children between the ages of 7-18 gathered in the dormitory hall. When Hirano’s dazzling skateboard performance appeared on the screen, the room exploded with excitement. “Wow! Cool!” the children exclaimed. The children watched Hirano’s message intently, nodding and smiling. When asked what he thought, one child smiled and said, “I was really moved to receive a direct message from an athlete who won a medal at the Olympics.”
When Hirano’s autographed T-shirt and outerwear were presented to kids representing the home, several children shouted that they wanted to try it on.
Later, when the children were handed a piece of HEATTECH clothing, they happily said that they were looking forward to wearing it to school or while snowboarding because it’s so cold. It was a moment full of smiles from the children.
The event ended with a message from Wakakusa’s director Takahashi.
“Winters in Niigata are long and bitterly cold. I am always worried that the children will catch a cold, so I am very grateful for this kind of initiative. I hope the children will wear highly functional HEATTECH and stay healthy despite the chilly weather.”
Even after presenting the items, we received thanks from children who could not participate, and some came to thank us again, making for an event that warmed the hearts of those of us who delivered the HEATTECH.
UNIQLO will continue working with its Global Brand Ambassadors to donate HEATTECH items around the world. Stay tuned for the next report!
This clothing donation is part of the “What Makes Life Better?” initiative.
For more information: https://www.uniqlo.com/whatmakeslifebetter
ALL HEATTECH
- WOMEN
https://www.uniqlo.com/us/en/women/heattech
- MEN
https://www.uniqlo.com/us/en/men/heattech
- KIDS
https://www.uniqlo.com/us/en/kids/heattech
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