Inkie, the Bristol graffiti artist, has designed a limited-edition soap – Soap with Hope – to help fundraise for rough sleepers during the Christmas period
BillyChip®, the social enterprise scheme supporting rough sleepers, has revealed that Inkie, the Bristol graffiti artist, has designed a limited-edition soap to help fundraise during the Christmas period. The initiative was set up by The Somerset Toiletry Company, a long-term supporter of BillyChip.
The Somerset Toiletry Company, who turned 25 this year, is carrying out 25 acts of kindness to mark its anniversary. One thousand ‘Soap with Hope’ bars are being produced based on Inkie’s design, with 10 containing a golden ticket which can be exchanged for a signed Inkie print worth £100. The celebrated graffiti artist has also painted a mural for The Somerset Toiletry Company’s factory.
Inkie is a graffiti artist from Bristol, known for his ink nouveau style. In a recent collaboration he worked with Goldie and other artists to create a huge mural in Eastville to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Goldie’s record label.
Jon Hope, co-founder at BillyChip, said: “This is an amazing project to have worked on. The team at The Somerset Toiletry Company has supported us for many years and to see Inkie – a Bristol-based artist – design this soap and mural has been incredible. We look forward to launching Soap with Hope as a unique Christmas gift for art lovers, helping us raise money to support those spending the festive break on the streets.”
Zantore Buoy, associate director at The Somerset Toiletry Company, added: “We are thrilled to collaborate on a limited-edition soap with our long-standing charity partners, BillyChip. This only strengthens our ties to this wonderful charity that brings warmth to the lives of those living on the street. To have renowned artist Inkie design the soap and join us in our factory to produce a one-of-one mural is the cherry on top. We will hang Inkie’s work in our factory proudly for many years to come.”
‘Soap with Hope’ bars are available for £6.95 on the BillyChip website, The Somerset Toiletry Company website, or at the gift shop located in The Soap Bar Café, Clutton. All proceeds go to BillyChip, and for every soap sold, a BillyChip will be donated to a local outreach service to hand out in Bristol over Christmas.
Main image: Inkie (centre) with Jack Gascoigne of BillyChip (left) and Zantore Buoy from The Somerset Toiletry Company (right)