Our Story
The BillyChip®️ Foundation registered charity 1188779 was set up in 2018 to continue the legacy of Billy Abernethy-Hope a twenty year old ambulance driver from Bristol who was the inspiration and idea behind the BillyChip®️.
After helping support the homeless at Christmas, Billy, felt disheartened at how little support the general public gave to local homeless people. Many people donate to charity on a regular basis but Billy was surprised what a small percentage of donations were given directly to people living rough on our streets.
Turns out most people are apprehensive to give money directly to homeless people, because it’s not possible to know how a donation is spent. Unfortunately, the common perception is the money will be used for alcohol, drugs or cigarettes. Even if a donation of food or drink is given to safeguard your donation, it is very awkward as people have to make assumptions of what the person would like and when. The alternative is to engage with that person, ask the question and purchase what’s required which many feel uncomfortable doing.
Billy recognised that the likelihood of someone having the time, inclination, courage, and kindness to engage with a homeless person to buy them food or drink was too big a challenge. That was the eureka moment when he first thought up the concept of the BillyChip®️. Sadly Billy never got to launch the BillyChip®️ as planned due to his untimely death whilst backpacking in Thailand.
BillyChip®️ tokens can be purchased for £2 from coffee shops and retail outlets who supply take away beverages. like Tea & Coffee. The purchaser receives the BillyChip®️ which can be given to any homeless person instead of money. The homeless person can redeem the BillyChip®️ in any participating outlet displaying a BillyChip®️ window sticker for a hot or cold take away drink.
Each time a BillyChip®️ is purchased you are supporting BillyChip®️Foundation registered charity 1188779. To find out more about who we support and our grant awards please visit www.billychipfoundation.com. A proportion of the purchase price from each BillyChip®️ goes towards operating the scheme and to cover the outlets costs of providing a drink.
The brilliant and unique way the BillyChip®️ scheme works allows people to donate to the homeless without the worry of their donation being spent in an inappropriate manner. It also reduces unscrupulous begging and encourages retail outlets to do their bit for corporate social responsibility.
The Mission
Our mission is to provide a worldwide platform which brings local people and retail partners together to deliver, kindness, compassion and a free hot drink to homeless people sleeping rough on our streets.
The BillyChips®️ can be given to any homeless person instead of money, the recipient can redeem Billy Chips®️ in any participating outlet for a free drink and hopefully food or even a night in a safe warm place in the future.
The Approach
- Introduce a unique currency (The Billy Chip®️) to encourage people to donate to homeless people on the street.
- Create a frictionless transaction for all.
- Safe guard your donations to prevent misuse.
- Expand into food and accommodation (multiples of chips).
- Spread a little random act of kindness to those less fortunate across the cities of the world.
The Situation
We need help to engage with businesses who provide take away drinks and food to become part of the scheme. We need amazing people to share and promote the scheme via social channels.
We need to spread the word through existing charities so homeless people are aware, but most important of all, we need fabulous people like you to buy BillyChips and spread a little bit of hope and humanity to those less well off.
You're fabulous and don't you ever forget it.
Partner Locations
Merchandise
Since the launch, and after global demand we have Billy Chip tees and hoodies available. As worn by Professor Green on the M.O.T.H tour.
Make a Donation
As well as purchasing a Billy Chip, you can also (if you wish) make a donation to our cause and soon-to-be registered charity. We operate as a not-for-profit organisation so all of your donation will go to the Billy Chip project.
Fest-a-Bill 2019
In July 2019 we held Fest-a-Bill to celebrate Billy Abernethy-Hope’s Life, it was a truly amazing event which saw nearly 1000 people, bands, DJ’s and one very special guest come together in a field on the outskirts of Bristol.
We raised nearly £20,000 on the day to help launch The Billy Chip and we have some exciting live music, fantastic food and collaboration events in the pipeline – DON’T MISS OUT click here to be added to the guest list and be kept up to date with all the latest.
Two of Billy’s lifelong friends from junior school filmed the event and have put together an incredible video which truly captures the feel and the vibe of the day so beautifully.
Phil Richards (photography) spent all day and all night endlessly running around capturing brilliant images of the day, just as well she is a triathlete and runs Marathons in her sleep!
Visit us on Facebook to view all that happened at Fest-A-Bill 2019 with special Guest Professor Green.
Follow Us
See all our latest updates and join in the conversation…
Contact
Jon (Co-Founder): jon@billychip.com
Meg (Co-Founder): meg@billychip.com
Becky (Head of Social Media): becky@billychip.com
Registered CIC 12947335
Billy Chip®️ Community Interest Company
Upper Bristol Road, Clutton,
Bristol BS39 5TA
Tel +44 (0)117 450 4060
Contact
Jon (Co-Founder): jon@billychip.com
Meg (Co-Founder): meg@billychip.com
Becky (Head of Social Media): becky@billychip.com