Havaianas, in partnership with Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA), is launching Thongs2SaveLives, a national fundraising event on the first day of summer to raise funds for surf lifesaving.

Participating is easy; simply wear your Havaianas (thongs) on Friday 1 December and donate to thongs2savelives.com.au.

Havaianas will donate $1 from every pair of Havaianas purchased at Ozmosis, General Pants, City Beach, Surf Dive‘n Ski and David Jones stores, as well as from its online store, until 1 December.

Havaianas and SLSA have enlisted the help of Elyse Knowles to help drive awareness and promote the national fundraising initiative.

“I grew up spending every summer at the beach and practically lived in my Havaianas,” she said.

“When the weather is warm and the sun is shining, there’s still no place I’d rather be, and I feel safe in the water knowing that surf lifesavers are looking out for me.

“Our lifesavers play an important role in our local communities so I’m incredibly proud to be part of Thongs2SaveLives to help Surf Life Saving keep our beaches safe.”

SLSA chief executive Melissa King said: “We are excited to launch Thongs2SaveLives in partnership with Havaianas as a fun day for the community to actively show their support and donate to help us keep the beach and community safe this summer.

“It costs an average of $86,000 to put a patrol on the beach each season. That includes vital equipment and resources required to support our surf lifesavers save lives. Your generous support makes all the difference.”

This year, Thongs2SaveLives will kick off SLSA’s national fundraising campaign, ‘Be a Life Saver’.

Mark Youens, CEO of Havaianas’ exclusive distributor, Aqueo, said: “SLSA and Havaianas are iconic summer brands synonymous with the beach and the outdoor Australian lifestyle.

“Summer starts with a pair Havaianas and a swim at the beach, and we are thrilled to be part of a partnership that pays tribute to the unsung champions of beach safety.”

For those that can’t don their thongs on 1 December, Havaianas and SLSA are also throwing out the challenge to get creative and host a first day of summer celebration either at their home, at their school, club or their workplace.