Some Christmas spirit


Christmas brings out the generosity in so many of us, with volunteering and financial donations peaking during the festive season. As a charity leader, I work with my teams to ensure we have a broad slate of opportunities planned to capitalise on all the ways members of the public might want to help us out. Here are some of the ways we tap into the Christmas spirit at Marie Curie, along with advice for how you can support your favourite cause over the holidays.


★ Public collections Almost no trip to a shopping centre over Christmas is complete without spotting the ubiquitous Salvation Army bell ringers. The donations they collect are now as likely to come in the form of a text message or via a QR code as they are by cash, but the concept has endured and is popular in the UK as well. Marie Curie hosts public col- lections at supermarkets and tube stations throughout the UK, as do many other charities. A few hours spent collecting could generate a hundred pounds or more for your charity, and collecting for charity can be a great way to connect with fellow volunteers.


★ Christmas cards These are a favourite way to support while letting your friends know which causes are closest to your heart. Cards, wrapping paper and other gifts can often be purchased directly from the charity itself via a Cards for Good Causes pop-up shop, or from a broad range of high street retailers which will have partnered with different charities each year.


★ Charity shops Shopping at your local charity shop is another great way to give back at Christmas. Need a Christmas jumper or a gag gift for an office party? Rather than purchase new for something that won’t have a long shelf life, why not pick it up at a charity shop? While you’re there, you can drop off any unwanted gifts you may have received, along with the clutter that you’ve cleared to make room for the new season. You’ll be helping your favourite cause and the environment at the same time.


★ Carol services These are among my personal favourite ways to get involved with charities at Christmas. At Marie Curie, we host “Lights to Remember” services throughout the UK, where families who have experienced our care can come together to remember their loved ones who have died. We also host a festive carol concert called Carols in the City at Southwark Cathedral. Larger churches and cathedrals will play host to several charity carol concerts each season, some- times more than one a day, so with a little research, you are likely to find an event that appeals to your interests.


★ Financial donations It goes without saying that these are always appreciated by charities, as they can use the money where it is needed most.


Meredith Niles is the executive director of fundraising and engagement at Marie Curie, a charity that helps people living with a terminal illness to make the most of the time they have left.


5. Making it go further: corporate matching/GAYE/Gift Aid


It's an age-old quandary: what to give the person who has everything? Solve this dilemma and give a gift that makes a dif- ference by donating to a cause that is close to their heart. Maximize charitable giving by checking whether your employer runs a payroll giving scheme, allowing employees to donate from their pre-tax pay. Many employers also offer matched giving, dou- bling charitable donations made by their employees. If you're a UK taxpayer, you can donate through Gift Aid, meaning charities can claim an extra £25 for every £1 you give. Best of all, it will not cost you any extra and will help those in need.


6. Services in kind


Instead of donating cash, consider an alter- nate way you can support a cause you are passionate about. Many charities need in- house resources or skills to deliver on their mission, so they rely on non-cash dona- tions in the form of goods, services or time. Tese include tangible property (fur- niture, equipment, clothing, supplies, etc), personal services (legal, marketing, ac- counting, maintenance, etc) or intangible goods (advertising, patents, royalties and copyrights). Donated goods and services are referred to as ‘services in kind’ or ‘in- kind contributions’. For example, at the JLL, we are always looking for a donated space for our Holiday Hampers pro- gramme. Photography and videography are always welcome for smaller charities. A bit of your time doing something you enjoy can make a vital difference for another.


6 FOCUS The Magazine November/December 2019 www.focus-info.org


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