We are organising a large group hug (we need 16 000+ to beat the world record) in Melbourne, Australia.
The Short Story
Free Hugs are offered to strangers in public settings by holding up a sign reading "Free Hugs" and then waiting for people who need one, to come and get a hug. There is a varied reaction from people and most are intrigued and positive about this random act of kindness. Over 11 million people have seen the video on the Internet. On our site, www.FreeHugs.com.au you can watch the Free Hugs You Tube video, buy Free Hugs t-shirts, and find out more information about this feel good concept.
The Long Story
Juan Mann (pronounced one man) started the Free Hug craze in Australia. The Juan Mann alias was created to demonstrate that one man can indeed make a difference. Juan started offering free hugs in Sydney, Australia in 2004. Juan was initially ordered to stop by council officers as he did not have $25 million worth of public liability insurance. After his story was featured on the Channel 10 TV News program, he was able to demonstrate wide public support for his concept by submitting 10,000 signatures to the council. He was then allowed to continue his unique public service of offering free hugs to strangers in public settings. In 2006, when Shimon Moore of the band 'Sick Puppies' made a You Tube video and provided the background song "All The Same", his concept become a worldwide phenomenon.
The Free Hugs video has been seen by over 11 million people on You Tube, and Juan Mann has appeared on Oprah and many news programs. Now this fun idea has been taken up by many people in 100's of countries who have started their own Free Hugs campaign. There is also a popular site called Free-Hugs.com run by Jason Hunter, who started hugging people in 2001.
We really like this idea because it breaks down the sense of isolation that we all feel in the world today. Despite the fact that we have technology that should be giving us more free time to spend with our families and friends, this has not happened. We all seem to be working harder and longer hours, and have little time for our own families let alone complete strangers. The population is getting larger and the sense of community is getting smaller.
This is a great way to connect with people and add some warmth to someone's day. At first when you hold up a Free Hugs sign above your head out in public, you a feel a little silly, but this is very soon washed away by the many people who join in hugging strangers. It has a genuine and immediate impact that spreads organically and people get really excited about the idea, and are very supportive and positive. There is no target audience - all walks of life appreciate and get involved. Who doesn't love a hug?
To our surprise most people who join in, when we are out giving hugs, have not even heard of the Free Hugs idea. At first we thought the positive response here in Melbourne was because people were already aware of the concept but this was not the case. Their reactions are a genuine response to the idea and it obviously filled a need to connect with each other. The energy that is created when you are giving away free hugs is very exciting and it is very easy to get a small crowd together fast.
To help spread the word about this concept and get people re-connecting with each other, t-shirts are available with the Free Hugs message. You can support us by clicking on the t-shirt link which goes to to our Ebay store. Part of the proceeds from the sale of t-shirts is donated to the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) who use the donations to buy much needed medical equipment.
In 2005, Germany set a world record for a group hug with 16,000 people. We believe that Melbourne can easily beat this record. We recall in 2004, that the photographer Spencer Tunick came to Melbourne and 4000 people turned up for his group nude photos (on a freezing cold winter morning I might add!) Surely 5 times as many Melbournians would be interested in a group hug for a world record (& to support the RCH)?
Details regarding an attempt at the world record group hug will be emailed to people on our mailing list. If we don't already have your email address, email us your details to mark@freehugs.com.au, so that we can keep you updated. Your email address will be kept private by FreeHugs.com.au
The Short Story
Free Hugs are offered to strangers in public settings by holding up a sign reading "Free Hugs" and then waiting for people who need one, to come and get a hug. There is a varied reaction from people and most are intrigued and positive about this random act of kindness. Over 11 million people have seen the video on the Internet. On our site, www.FreeHugs.com.au you can watch the Free Hugs You Tube video, buy Free Hugs t-shirts, and find out more information about this feel good concept.
The Long Story
Juan Mann (pronounced one man) started the Free Hug craze in Australia. The Juan Mann alias was created to demonstrate that one man can indeed make a difference. Juan started offering free hugs in Sydney, Australia in 2004. Juan was initially ordered to stop by council officers as he did not have $25 million worth of public liability insurance. After his story was featured on the Channel 10 TV News program, he was able to demonstrate wide public support for his concept by submitting 10,000 signatures to the council. He was then allowed to continue his unique public service of offering free hugs to strangers in public settings. In 2006, when Shimon Moore of the band 'Sick Puppies' made a You Tube video and provided the background song "All The Same", his concept become a worldwide phenomenon.
The Free Hugs video has been seen by over 11 million people on You Tube, and Juan Mann has appeared on Oprah and many news programs. Now this fun idea has been taken up by many people in 100's of countries who have started their own Free Hugs campaign. There is also a popular site called Free-Hugs.com run by Jason Hunter, who started hugging people in 2001.
We really like this idea because it breaks down the sense of isolation that we all feel in the world today. Despite the fact that we have technology that should be giving us more free time to spend with our families and friends, this has not happened. We all seem to be working harder and longer hours, and have little time for our own families let alone complete strangers. The population is getting larger and the sense of community is getting smaller.
This is a great way to connect with people and add some warmth to someone's day. At first when you hold up a Free Hugs sign above your head out in public, you a feel a little silly, but this is very soon washed away by the many people who join in hugging strangers. It has a genuine and immediate impact that spreads organically and people get really excited about the idea, and are very supportive and positive. There is no target audience - all walks of life appreciate and get involved. Who doesn't love a hug?
To our surprise most people who join in, when we are out giving hugs, have not even heard of the Free Hugs idea. At first we thought the positive response here in Melbourne was because people were already aware of the concept but this was not the case. Their reactions are a genuine response to the idea and it obviously filled a need to connect with each other. The energy that is created when you are giving away free hugs is very exciting and it is very easy to get a small crowd together fast.
To help spread the word about this concept and get people re-connecting with each other, t-shirts are available with the Free Hugs message. You can support us by clicking on the t-shirt link which goes to to our Ebay store. Part of the proceeds from the sale of t-shirts is donated to the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) who use the donations to buy much needed medical equipment.
In 2005, Germany set a world record for a group hug with 16,000 people. We believe that Melbourne can easily beat this record. We recall in 2004, that the photographer Spencer Tunick came to Melbourne and 4000 people turned up for his group nude photos (on a freezing cold winter morning I might add!) Surely 5 times as many Melbournians would be interested in a group hug for a world record (& to support the RCH)?
Details regarding an attempt at the world record group hug will be emailed to people on our mailing list. If we don't already have your email address, email us your details to mark@freehugs.com.au, so that we can keep you updated. Your email address will be kept private by FreeHugs.com.au