Merton Giving, a charitable partnership between Merton Chamber of Commerce and Merton Voluntary Services Council and supported by Merton Council, has reached its first birthday and, since its launch, the business community has responded incredibly to help local causes with cash donations to the Merton Giving Fund and/or non-monetary in-kind support totaling in excess of £60,000. To continue its work, Merton Giving Week is back for 2019. In its second year the week marks a dedicated focus on fundraising to help grow the Merton Giving Fund to provide financial support to charities working locally.
Merton Giving launched in 2018 to provide a focal point for local giving with the aim of tackling inequality in the borough of Merton. Merton Giving encourages people and businesses to give money, time or in-kind support. The Merton Giving Fund has made its first allocation of grant funds distributing over £20,000 to 20 charities working locally. These small grants provided for local charities have an enormous impact for borough residents. Beneficiaries include the Young at Heart Club, a volunteer led lunch club which provides hot meals and activities to isolated people in the Figges Marsh area. Funding from Merton Giving is allowing them to increase their activities and take their group on outings – helping to combat loneliness and social isolation. Funding was granted to Hearts and Minds, to provide a peer support worker for the organisation allowing them to facilitate weekly sessions for young people aged 14-25 experiencing mental health difficulties.
Businesses, community groups and residents across the borough are being invited to join in and do whatever takes their fancy during Merton Giving Week to raise money to help grow the Merton Giving Fund. Participation is encouraged in one of the following ways;
Buy One Give Some
Give shopping meaning – nominating a product or service you sell and make a donation for everyone sold during the week. We invite businesses to be as creative as they like – they could even, for example, launch their own product for a week creating a bespoke cocktail, as Suburban Bar did in 2018, or by offering a special dish of the day. Aya Cuisine donated money from every table they served during Merton Giving Week in 2018 and we’re delighted that they are set to support the week again this year.
Funky Friday
Funky Friday is back! Why not dress in funky style on Funky Friday 6th December and make a donation to Merton Giving. You could opt for an entire outfit to make a statement or convey your style by simply adding that Funky accessory. The perfect opportunity for businesses, community groups and schools to get involved in supporting their local community.
Make your own pledge
We’re asking people to give in their own way that works for them. Businesses could put their professional skills to good use or even run their own event? Host a quiz, bake off or donate from a sponsored event.
This year, we are thrilled to announce that Premier Chamber member, Peacock and Co solicitors has committed to making Merton Giving their charity of the year for 2020. Their support will begin with Merton Giving Week when they will be offering their professional skills (and waiving their fees) to write wills in exchange for donations to Merton Giving.
This is a great chance to write or update your will whilst supporting Merton Giving. To find out more and book your space contact office@peacock-law.co.uk or 020 8944 5290 Appointments are limited so please book early.
“We are delighted to be able to support Merton Giving, a brilliant new initiative that has turned our head and is already making a difference in our community, “ said Katherine Carroll of Peacock and Co solicitors.
Diana Sterck, chair of Merton Giving added “Since its launch just a year ago, Merton Giving has gone from strength to strength raising its profile and connecting with businesses who have given incredible support to help our local communities. Our fundraising week provides the perfect opportunity to harness the community spirit to help grow the Merton Giving Fund to enable us to distribute further grant funding to local charities.”
- Merton Giving Week is running from 2nd to 8th December 2019.
- All money raised goes to build the Merton Giving Fund which provides financial assistance to charities working locally to improve lives of people in our borough.
- Follow @mertongiving on social media or visit. https://www.mertonchamber.co.uk/connecting/community to stay updated on the latest Merton Giving Week news and information.
- For more information contact Jenny O’Neill – jenny@mertonchamber.co.uk
- Merton Giving is an initiative from MVSC registered charity number 1085867 and Merton Chamber of Commerce, supported by Merton Council.
