BROTHERS Christian and Ross Laing have launched their own sock company – to help raise awareness of Down Syndrome.
The pair, from Stockton Heath, also hope Stand Out Socks will create jobs locally for Ross and other “stand out” people who find it difficult to find paid employment.
They decided to start a sock company because National Down Syndrome Day features a lots-of-socks competition every year.
Christian, 38, said: “We thought, why do this just for one day? And out of that was born the idea of Stand Out Socks.”
“Ross, 30, has for obvious reasons, always struggled to find work and has never had paid employment, despite having a range of abilities.
“The idea of creating a job for Ross, rather than finding him one, has always been in the back of my head.
“Also, I wanted to spend more time with my brother, so wanted to create something we could do together.”
Stand Out Sock’s slogan is, ‘Why fit in? When you are born to stand out’.
The socks the brothers create will be in bright, vibrant colours which will attract attention and, they hope, start conversations.
“We hope to change attitudes and raise awareness of equal opportunities for disabled employees in the workplace.”
Twenty percent of Stand Out Socks’ profits will be donated to Scope – a charity that has a shared vision of equality in the community and supports disabled people finding work.
The brothers have launched the Stand Out Socks website to coincide with National Down Syndrome awareness month.
