"The Free Hugs Campaign is an international kindness initiative, that has spread to over 80 countries around the world, founded on the simple principle of offering a stranger a hug." : Juan Mann
Support the Free Hugs Campaign...
"The Free Hugs Campaign is about many things, like making someone’s day a little brighter, meeting people and showing the world that strangers aren’t so bad after all. It’s also about bringing people together and sharing a happy moment before heading back out into the world feeling a little lighter. The Free Hugs Campaign is all about people being there for each other." : Juan Mann
"When you’re sad and alone in the world, it helps to talk to people, to share a laugh with someone, to see someone smile at you, to have someone wrap their arms around you and reassure you that everything will be alright... What about those people who don’t have somebody? Whose families live far away? Whose friends don’t understand?" : Juan Mann
"I'm missing my hugs from home."
"You'll never really know how much this means to me."
"I lost my husband a few weeks ago... Thank you...thank you."
"I've had such a bad day at work, this is just what I need."
"Hugs always make me feel better. Wonderful."
"It's been far too long since I had a hug like that."
"People should smile more. And I've been watching you… this really works!"
Hugh Mann - Free Hugs : Bath, UK A blackbird is building a nest in the bush right outside my window this morning. Awww. I'm going to be a father... uh, of sorts! : ) view more
About me: My personal Free Hugs story:
Early last summer, someone sent me a link to a video. The consequences of such an apparently innocuous everyday occurrence now spills out across these pages. This was that unimagined catalyst...
As I sat staring at the screen, my smile broadened and tears welled in my eyes. In fact, I probably watched the video close to half a dozen times in a similar state, until only the smile remained.
I was so moved by the message and the humanity behind this discovery, I felt an overwhelming urge to experience this myself. A few weeks later, I made up my own sign and walked onto the streets of Bath, UK. The response was nothing short of extraordinary. [My first blog captures this moment.]
I don't suppose it was ever really my intention for it to be more than a one-off; a bit of light-hearted fun. But something had truly clicked inside me. On its simplest level, this brings smiles to peoples' faces, but underneath that, there are those people who really need a hug. Some of these experiences, and the truly moving things that people have said to me... they will live with me forever.
These images [full size] and many more appear in the blogs...
Since this journey began I've become a good friend of the remarkable spirit that is Juan Mann; a man whose sole mission was to reach out and hug a stranger to brighten up their lives. It's an honour to have befriended him, and he has now become my metaphorical antipodean brother in arms!
The impact on my own life has been unprecedented: I’ve since been out to Bath numerous times – and while you begin to know what to expect on each trip out, every person somehow brings a unique experience, and every visit inevitably provides a memory I will never forget.
This is what it is to be truly... Hugh Mann : )
Who I'd like to meet:
The Blogs:
I’ve decided to maintain a short series of blogs on this page; just taking up the defaulted five blog locations at the top of the profile. The first two will be fixed:
My first Free Hugs experience: This, in many ways, is my most personal and emotional blog; probably containing the most images too – the majority taken by my wonderful wife, Sue. That first day will live long amidst my most treasured memories and, effectively provided the momentum for all you see here now. Please play the embedded music at suitably atmospheric volume! My first Free Hugs experience:
"The wonder drug of the new millennium..." This blog was inspired by my fledgling friendship with Free Hugs founder Juan Mann and a marvellous email from Daisy, in Holland. Uh, please play the embedded music at suitably atmospheric volume! "The wonder drug of the new millennium..."
The intention for the remaining blog slots will be for them to contain rolling, updating content:
From another perspective... This blog will contain input from other contributors who provide an alternative slant on my Free Hugs activities. From another perspective...
Free Hugs: The reManniscences and, uh, Mannecdotes: Ahem… Yeah, I know, I do apologise; I’m a nightmare for play-on-words. Ha! But this blog will contain some of the more personal stories and a reflection on the continuing Free Hugs experiences.
International Free Hugs Day[s]... This blog will contain reflections on each International Free Hugs Day.
Hugh Mann - Free Hugs : Bath, UK's Friend Space (Randomized)
Hi! You are most welcome for the support. :) Yes, I am working on making a different video... when I am not bored.
I believe I came across your profile when watching the Free Hugs video for the umpteenth time... someone had posted a link to your Myspace, if I remember correctly.
I really want to have my own Free Hugs day.. I'm planning... :D
I give you the Utmost support! It's an amazing thing that you do. reading everything that you done for people has put tears in my eyes and pride in my heart! You have given me the urge to go out and do it myself. :)
I never thought about "putting reason into everything" I like that! I think i will add that! May life bless you in many many ways.
O thank you! however shes my niece hehe its ok i get that a lot. Well to be honest with you i was doing some research on "hugs" for my process analysis paper (mine is on how to give a hug lol) and i just stumbled across all the "free hugs" thus finding your myspace page ;p
Well I got one hug there but then the security guard made us leave. So we went over to the star bucks and received lots of hugs!! It was amazing. I have only done it with a sign one time due to traveling around. I did offer hugs in Kenya and Boise, Idaho, I just didn't have my sign anymore. I am wanting to plan a day every month to go out with the sign and offer free hugs.
A long time ago on Youtube I found a video of a man in Korea going around with Free Hugs sign and I actually went to my mall and did it myself. So I've been looking up pictures and found out how many people are doing it around the world and I found your picture and wanted to add myself.
Hullo. Yes, I did come from Suzanne's page... how you know that, I don't know, but yes, yes I did.
Sophia actually. ^-^ They all have a story behind them. My mom and dad met on a ship named Sophia, so that one got stuck in there. Yeah, my cousin's a cutie, too bad I never get to see her (she lives all the way across the country). On the wall: my mom says it looks like a car crash.
Keep up the miracles. The picture of the man with his eyes closed is really, really touching.
heyheyy well the fudge account is my other myspace that i use to try out layouts and etc. i found ur myspace when i was lookin through pics on flicr! lol did u get the free hugs idea from the music video from the band sick puppies?
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