Mike is an ambassador for Localgiving.com, the national web site dedicated to supporting small, ultra-local charities and is also working closely with Cambridgeshire Community Foundation, an organisation dedicated to providing community philanthropy in this region.
He explains, “CSR is about corporations, medium-sized companies or small businesses getting involved in ethical or philanthropic duties beyond their obligations to comply with the law. But all too often, companies take the easy route, and choose to support one of the large top ten UK charities.”
He continues, “Whilst these charities support fantastic causes, I would like to see companies being much bolder when it comes to charitable giving, as well as fundraising support and volunteering. Rather than just paying lip service to CSR why not be courageous and choose a local community group in your city working with homeless youngsters or a disabled charityrather than taking the easy route and supporting a national or even global charity?
“I think there has been a positive shift recently with a new focus firmly on the community in which people live. Companies like Waitrose and Thomas Cook have been very successful at putting local, community projects at the heart of their CSR strategy and others would do well to look to them as a great example.
Times are tough out there and often it’s these grass roots charities and community groups which are not only struggling with funding but are having an increased demand on their service as a result of the economic difficulties. The reality is that unless businesses and donors start to support charities in their communities they will be forced to close.”
Mike appeared in Channel 4’s Secret Millionaire programme in the autumn last year where he went undercover at the cash strapped New Ark Adventure Playground in Reeves Way, Peterborough, later making a donation to the group that saved it from closure. The experience left the successful entrepreneur who recently sold the retail consultancy, him! eager to do more to help local charities.
He concluded, “The programme had a huge impact on me and left me hungry to do more to help charities in my community. I was shocked recently to learn that there are around 540 charities in a 20 mile radius of where I live but most local people when questioned couldn’t name one single one. I want to change that, but I also want companies to be braver and start supporting charities and groups in the places they do business.”
To find out more about localgiving and how your company can make a big impact locally, please contact Jane Darlington at the Cambridgeshire Community Foundation. Jane is working with Mike and wants to hear from local companies that are interested to support local groups to register on Localgiving.com and make the most of the fundraising opportunity presented. By encouraging staff to volunteer and undertake some fundraising, local companies can make a real difference.
Mike Greene has teamed up with MasterChef presenter, Gregg Wallace to host a special fundraising dinner at the Haycock Hotel in Peterborough on Monday 23 April in aid of Localgiving.com’s Peterborough Match Fund. A pot of money that will match pound-for-pound every donation made to Peterborough charities on the www.localgiving.com web site.
Event Details:
- Location: Haycock Hotel* Peterborough Date: 23 April 2012
- Tickets: £100 per head and money raised from the event will increase the Peterborough Match Fund.
- Time: Arrival drinks 7.00-7.30pm | Seating for Dinner 7.30pm | Carriages at 10.30pm
Make your reservation now
Email your name, number of places @£100 per head plus any special dietary requirements to info@cambscf.org.uk then send a cheque to cover the cost of the places you wish to reserve, made payable to ‘Peterborough Community Foundation’ to:
Jane Darlington
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Community Foundation
The Quorum
Barnwell Road
Cambridge, CB5 8RE
To find out more about the Peterborough Match Fund, go to:
www.localgiving.com/peterboroughmatchfund.
About Cambridgeshire Community Foundation (CCF) www.cambscf.org.uk
Cambridgeshire Community Foundation (CCF) help individuals, families, and companies who want to give something back to Cambridgeshire. It aims to provide an efficient and simple way for donors to make a long-term difference to the communities in which they live and work by setting up and then managing charitable funds on their behalf.
Donors do not give “to” CCF but “through” the organisation to a wide range of vital projects throughout Cambridgeshire.
CCF acts as a “broker” for small, local organisations, helping them access these grants - connecting local donors who care with good causes that matter.
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For media information, please contact:
Laura Brown/Justine Smith
KISS Public Relations
T: 01223 911123
justine@kisscom.co.uk
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