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 at how small the percentage of these donations were given directly to homeless people, living rough on our streets.

The common perception of people is that ‘if I give some money directly to a homeless person, it will will used for alcohol, cigarettes and at worst – drugs’. People can also feel awkward engaging with a homeless person, even when offering a donation of food or a drink. This is where the BillyChip really works, it breaks down these barriers, allowing people to engage and offer some help to a homeless person. This small act of kindness not only helps the person in need, but also helps to build better communities within our towns and cities.

BillyChip Community
Interest Company

We are a Registered non profit social enterprise set up to delivery Billy’s idea of a simple safe secure platform to allow the general public to support homeless people with kindness compassion and a free hot drink.

BillyChip Foundation

The BillyChip Foundation is an English Registered Charity number 1188779 our mission is to financially support charities who share Billy’s passion to improve the lives and wellbeing of homeless people.

We also support other like-minded charities

The unique way in which the scheme operates allows us to financially support other Homeless organisations so buying a BillyChip goes along way to help beyond a free hot drink. sign up to our newsletter or social media to find out more.

See what we’re up to and follow our story

Billys legacy continues to surprise us all from Professor Green asking to performing in our garden at `Billys memorial service to being invited on to the BBC red sofa. we have traveled the country spreading the message of the BillyChip and how generosity is contagious, please drop us a like and a follow to keep in touch with what we are up too

Our Wonderful Partners

We owe a huge thanks to all the amazing staff and companies who have supported our mission and helped us turn Billy's idea into reality.

We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of Arthur David who have supported us from the very start with so many things. Most importantly they distribute our BillyChips far and wide across the land keeping us a low carbon and sustainable.

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Honest values and passion to do the right thing is everything they represent and we are so proud to be supported by Sakina and the team at the wonderful Somerset Toiletry Company. We feel like part of the family and certainly couldn’t have come so far without such incredible love and support for Billy’s vision to support the Community.

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The team at SOS design have been awesome in helping us improve almost everything we do! Keeping us connected, communicating and integrating Billy’s dream into a modern social enterprise with a bright future!

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We’re delighted to be supporting the BillyChip team with PR and media work, to help raise awareness of the brand in Bristol, the UK and beyond!

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