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Borne Clothing celebrates first birthday

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Bal Dhital, Tim Keys, Dan Robson and Pat Prell were itching to make a change last year so they formed Borne Clothing.

The social enterprise creates mosquito-repellent clothing, where half of its profits are donated to fund resources like bed-nets and medications for the people who need them most.

The group’s ultimate goal is to help generate a future that is free of mosquito-borne diseases.

Fast forward to 2021 – and they are one step closer to achieving that dream.

“I’m a little foggy on the exact number, but [we’ve sold] about 400 shirts for our first year in business,” Bal said.

“We’ve also donated $2,000 – we’re pretty stoked with it.

“We’ve looked up to social enterprises like Who Gives a Crap and ThankYou, and our donation after our first year is pretty similar to theirs.”

The four are incredibly grateful for the support they’ve received in their first year of business.

“It’s insane, and just a little bit unbelievable,” Bal told the Newcastle Weekly.

“We’ve been blown away by the support we’ve been shown – whether it’s the way people have interacted with us at market stalls or the patience and goodwill they’ve shown us when we’ve had to fix up some teething issues.

“Our customers have been behind us every step of the way – we’re pretty geed up that they’re as keen on the idea of social enterprise as we are.”

Moving forward, the team has big dreams for the next 12 months.

“If this first year has taught us how to crawl, we now want to start walking,” Bal explained.

“We’re keen to really get stuck into telling our story and building our brand.

“Capping off our second year with an even bigger donation would be huge, and that is exactly what we’re aiming for.

“To get there, we’ve got a few plans in place and a few things up our sleeve, and that means some new shirt styles dropping in the very near future.”

In September last year, NW’s Elizabeth Symington and Peter Stoop met with Bal, Dan, Tim and Pat to chat about their mission.

At the time, they were hopeful to make a difference in the “mozzie hub” that is Newcastle.

Responses they’ve received from customers have proven they’re doing exactly that.

“Some of the best feedback we’ve had from customers is hearing how well the shirt has worked for them,” Bal said.

“That only comes in at a very close second to witnessing people out and about in one our mozzie-free tees.

“Seeing them living it up without a single mozzie bite is the very best kind of feedback.”

Bal added the article helped them reach more people.

“Since our story first appeared in the Newcastle Weekly, we’ve been blown away by the support people have shown us,” Bal said.

“Our first customer, who wasn’t a family member or friend, was a Newcastle Weekly reader.

“We’d love to say thanks by giving out a 10% discount code to all those who read Newcastle Weekly.

“Head to borneclothing.com and use the discount code NEWCASTLEWEEKLY to claim your discount.”

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