Behind the scenes of Bedhead: who we help

Bedhead is passionate about protecting children from the harmful effects of the sun – so much so, we’ve made it our mission to introduce as many newborn babies to hats as possible. And it’s not just all about sales through our website and stockists throughout the world. We also moonlight as a philanthropist, donating hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of hats each year to various charitable organisations, hospitals and parent networks.

We believe the path to reducing the rates of skin cancer is by instilling sun-safe habits early enough in a child’s life that they carry on through to adulthood and be instilled in their own children. We do this by providing families with the most comfortable, high-quality protective hats on the market, protecting children from the harsh effects of the strong Australian sun. Sadly, for some families, their everyday needs are more urgent than sun safety and so we introduced our Protect the Potential (PTP) initiative to ensure those babies don't miss out on a great-quality hat to set their little lives up right.

So. Each season, in addition to the large orders for our new prints and production of our core hats that return each year, we also have our factory make thousands of tiny newborn legionnaire hats and package them up into little white envelopes. These are our Protect the Potential packs (PTPs).  A lot of you were likely introduced to Bedhead Hats by this very pack as some of these hats are what you’d have received during our #monthofmummyhood initiative.

As well as giving them away to our followers and customers through our own yearly initiatives, we give them to several different organisations throughout Australia with the sole purpose of helping others. Last financial year we gave away exactly $414,679.80 worth of PTP packs. These went to expecting mums through hospitals and pharmacies such as Hurstville Maternity and Calvary Lenah Valley Hospital, into the amazing BaoBag bags, and to so many families needing a little boost through our wonderful charity partners.

On top of that, we often bundle up excess stock and send it off to the seasonally appropriate charities for inclusion in their boxes that go to families in need. These boxes are made up of donated goods such as clothing, school items, personal hygiene products and toys, and given to those doing it a little tough right now.

So every time you buy a Bedhead hat or support our company, know that you’re helping us in our charitable cause – it’s nice to know where some of your $$$ goes. We thought we’d share a little more about where our hats end up and how they’re making a difference in people’s lives through the incredible work of the organisations we partner with. We know times are tough, but even the smallest donation to your local charity of new and used items is always, always gratefully received. Or if you’d like to support one of our partners, their details are linked below. A little kindness goes a long way and if we all give just a little, imagine how far it will spread.

Our Village Based in Victoria, Our Village partners with social services and maternal and child nurses to connect families looking to donate baby and children's goods with the families who urgently need essential items. Together, waste is reduced and real change is made to the lives of over 20,000 babies and children across Victoria each year. 

Danelion Support Network rehomes preloved and new nursery furniture and items for babies and children to some of the most disadvantaged families in the community. The people Dandelion supports range from those in housing stress, escaping domestic violence and abuse, living with mental health or refugees making new a life. 

Baby Give Back This Queensland-based organisations packages up essential items into age-appropriate boxes which are distributed to vulnerable families via support workers and medical professionals. Boxes are filled with donated clothes, toys, nappies and personal items for little ones facing a broad range of challenges in their young lives and allow families to focus their money on other essentials like food or rent. 

Tassie Mums Helping Tasmanian families with essential items, Tassie Mums takes all the generous donations from drop-off points such as schools and businesses and bundling them up with love for recipients determined by welfare agencies. Bundles can be made for children up to 14 years of age and include lots of clothing, books, a toy, nappies, toiletries and linen.

Pregnancy Assistance Service of Life Support for pregnant women who are experiencing difficult circumstances, distress or poverty due to unexpected pregnancy, abortion concerns, financial hardship, domestic violence, homelessness, relationship breakdown, mental health, grief & loss and drug addiction.

Treasure Boxes Based in South Australia, Treasure Boxes is a team of caring, like-minded people, dedicated to preventing hardship and trauma by providing kids in need with critical items many of us take for granted. Treasure Boxes arranges the donation, collection and delivery of those childhood essentials, including cots, prams, highchairs and clothes.

Little Things for Tiny Tots This WA-based organisation create boxes of "little things" such as nappies, wipes, clothing, blankets and books - and our hats! - to assist families in need as they care for their newborn. Packs are distributed in partnership with community welfare and social service agencies. 

Big Group Hug From the founder's lounge room, to helping over 23,000 babies and children through their most difficult time, Big Group Hug's boxes are just that - a giant hug for those who need one! Filled with essential donated items, Big Group Hug's packs help a family in need distribute their funds for food and rent rather than clothes and nappies. 

A Brave Life Equips and empowers vulnerable mothers and their babies impacted by crisis, isolation and discrimination by providing resources, community and products to help forge a better, healthier, more stable life for themselves and children.