As Christmas creeps up, a nonprofit organisation is urging us all to think about giving a present this year that enables someone to support their favourite charity.
Instead of buying a present to wrap, the founder of Charity Vouchers is asking us to think about buying a gift that makes charitable giving easy.
Charity Vouchers is a not for profit organisation which exists to help people to donate to UK charities through the sale of its charity gift cards. Unsurprisingly, it always sees a spike in sales in November and December as people purchase gift cards as presents but the founder says that when times get tough, they see people’s support for UK charities rise further still.
When the UK entered lockdown in Christmas in 2020, the value of Charity Vouchers sold in the lead up to Christmas Day soared by 270% on the year before. And it appears our generosity of spirit has continued post-pandemic. Last year, Charity Vouchers saw the total value of gift cards sold increase 135% on the same pre-Christmas period in 2019. While looking back further, the value of vouchers sold pre-Christmas 2017 compared to the same period in 2022 shows a jump of 214%.
David Black founder of Charity Vouchers explains; “We sold the highest value ever over the Christmas shopping period in 2020 as we entered lockdown and were unable to see friends, family or socialise as normal at work parties. While charity gift card sales have not quite returned to that level, the total value of last year’s Christmas sales remained 135% higher than in 2019, pre-pandemic. It shows that when we experience tough times, we are more likely to give a gift that enables someone to support a UK charity.”
For 21 years, Charity Vouchers has existed to help people buy a gift that means the recipient can donate to their favourite charity. Over two decades, it has helped people and organisations donate to more than 1,000 UK charities.
This year, David is asking people to think about putting a charity gift card under the tree and spread joy to organisations who do so much good all year round.
It has been a particularly hard year for the UK charity sector. A recent survey by the Charities Aid Foundation revealed that more than half of charities are at “full capacity” amid increasing demand for help amid the financial crisis and some, such as food banks, have had to turn people in need away, with many left worrying how they will survive month to month.
David adds, “This Christmas, please think about swapping the purchase of one physical gift for a charity gift card instead. If you’re close to someone, perhaps you already know which charity is closest to their heart and can make a direct donation on their behalf. But for some, their chosen charity can be a deeply personal, private matter. With Charity Vouchers, you can purchase a voucher worth £15 or more, and gift it on. Then it’s entirely up to the recipient which UK registered charity they choose to donate it to. From the big, recognisable national health charities to small charities working at grassroots level, our gift cards give people the chance pass on their gift to any UK registered charity.
“Christmas spirit, in its truest sense, is about giving back and spreading joy. And, if you’re struggling to know what to buy someone, it probably means they’re in the fortunate position of having all they need. Please think about buying less stuff and doing a good deed by giving the gift that enables someone to support a UK charity in need this year.”
When you purchase a Charity Voucher for someone, they get to choose who it goes to by selecting any UK registered charity, then that charity receives 100% of the value purchased.
To find out more or purchase a Charity Voucher visit www.charityvouchers.org
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