So, it’s once again that gorgeous time of year when much of the UK population retires its winter boot collections and bust out the flip flops. It’s not as if the UK is blessed with enough sunny days not to take advantage of every last one of them, so it’s hardly surprising flip flop fanatics fly out in force over the summer months.
But while there’s no denying the appeal of flip flops as fab footwear, how about literally having your life saved by a pair of these simple summer shoes? It sounds pretty ludicrous, but if you take a look at some of the more standout headlines from summers gone by…well, let’s just say you might never look at your own flip flops the same again!
So, to save you trawling through the press, we thought we’d share with you four of our favourite and wholly fantastic flip flop headlines you might find hard to believe:
British brothers who survived tsunami that killed their parents sell flip flops beloved by celebs to help orphans
Rob and Paul Forkan were lucky to survive the infamous 2004 Boxing Day tsunami that killed hundreds of thousands, which is why they decided to turn their good fortune into something positive for others. In order to help raise money for those orphaned by the disaster, the pair set to work creating a unique range of handmade flip flops called Gandys which quickly gained a huge celebrity following.
Brothers Rob and Paul sell flip flops (Gandys) to help under privileged children around the world.
Celebs spotted wearing Gandys flips flops include Jessie J, Jamie Oliver, Michelle Keegan and numerous other stars have Tweeted their support for the brand. Even Sir Richard Branson stocks Gandys flip flops on his private Necker Island and wears them himself!
Sir Richard Branson stocks the flip flops on his island and wears them himself.
Saved by flip-flops! Harbour worker burnt his sandals to get help when his friend collapsed after heart attack on remote Cornish beach
When 51-year-old Mr John Peplow suddenly began experiencing chest pains after he and Rich Jago had just set up camp in a remote location in our neck of the woods in Cornwall, Jago grabbed his flip flops and immediately set them on fire in order to serve as a signal to attract an RAF rescue helicopter. The smoke was seen, help was sent and Mr Peplow’s life was saved. Without the smoke from the flip flops, he’d most surely have died right there on the rock.
View full story on Daily Mail website by clicking here
Flip-flops saved my life: Diving instructor used sandals as makeshift splint after carer shattered her leg when she drove quad bike off 60ft cliff on Greek island holiday
Melanie Simmonds very nearly lost her life to a quad biking accident during a Greek holiday, though was saved by the quick-thinking of a diving instructor. Peter Tovey created a makeshift splint for her shattered leg using his sandals and is credited with saving both her leg and her life!
View full story on Daily Mail website by clicking here
Nurse survived lightning strike when 300,000 volts hit her satellite dish - but she was saved by her rubber FLIP FLOPS
Last but not least, Jennifer Lyons’ telephone call was interrupted by a 300,000 volt bolt of lightning, which hit her home with such ferocity it caused electrical outlets and the very plaster on the walls to pretty much explode. The house looked like it had been hit by a bomb, but she survived the incident thanks to the rubber soles of the flip flops she was wearing at the time.
View full story on Daily Mail website by clicking here.