An Ipswich entrepreneur has turned flamboyant fashion into a force for good, raising thousands for a local mental health charity through his quirky clothing brand.
John Parnell, founder of digital marketing agency Generate Leads Online (GLO), has donated £2,000 to Suffolk Mind through sales from his online store, Bad Shirt Club, since January 2024.
The big picture: Bad Shirt Club sells eye-catching Hawaiian-style shirts, donating £1 from each sale to the charity.
Why it matters: The project aims to spark conversations about mental health. It was inspired by the loss of Parnell's best friend, Aine Kerlin, in 2022.
What they're saying: "Mental health has always been something close to my heart – and ever since we've lost Aine I've wanted to do everything I can to support the amazing organisations trying to make a difference," Parnell said.
Jon Neal, CEO of Suffolk Mind, expressed gratitude for the support: "Bad Shirt Club's products aren't just a fun way of expressing your individuality, they help raise awareness of mental health and encourage important conversations."
Neal also emphasised the importance of community support in achieving Suffolk Mind's mission, saying, "Our mission is to make Suffolk the best place in the world for talking about and taking care of mental health – and we couldn't do that without the support of our local business community."
Key details:
Bad Shirt Club sells shirts, shorts, jackets, and hats
Each purchase includes a "Toolkit" card with tips on meeting physical and emotional needs
Parnell also organised a memorial day for Kerlin at Ipswich Rugby Club last year, raising over £1,700 for Suffolk Mind and East Anglia's Children's Hospices, and GLO has sponsored various Suffolk Mind events
The bottom line: Head over to www.badshirt.club, get a shirt and support an important local charity.
