Supporters

Those lending their voices to Back Britain’s Charities.

[MPs and Peers - Individuals - Organisations - Full list of supporting organisations]

 

Marcelle Speller OBE, Localgiving.com Founder said:

“When charitable giving declines, it is often the small, local charities and community groups that suffer the most.  Many of these vital organisations already operate on a knife edge, so even a small donation can mean the difference between surviving and going under.  As a society, we can’t afford to lose them!  That’s why Localgiving.com supports the Back Britain’s Charities campaign.”

Trevor Pears, Executive Chair of the Pears Foundation said:

“Now is the time for us all to pull together and Back Britain’s Charities and community groups. The best way we can do this is by encouraging each other to continue to give our time, money or energy to the causes we care about and, for those who can, to Give More to them.”

Tamar Ghosh, Director of Give More said:

“Give More is pleased to support Back Britain’s Charities.  Like Give More, the campaign is encouraging people to dig a little deeper at a time when it is so needed, and important for many families across the UK.  All activities to encourage us all to do just a little bit more, in the way we can, should be encouraged.”

Alistair McLean, Chief Executive of the Fundraising Standards Board said:

“It has been another tough year, with charities working harder than ever to raise funds in order to provide vital services to those in need. The demand for services continues to escalate and charities need our support now more than ever. Without it, beneficiaries will suffer and some of the nation’s biggest needs may not be met. Join us and Back Britain’s Charities today.”

Stephen Howard, Chief Executive, Business in the Community said:

“It is distressing to hear that donations to UK charities have fallen by 20 per cent this year. I welcome the ‘Back Britain’s Charities’ campaign’ to support charities affected by this fall in giving and urge others to support it. This campaign is vital in the current climate and will raise awareness of the critical need to raise more cash donations for charities. We also know that UK businesses are supporting community and charitable organisations in ways other than cash donations, such as long-term skilled employee volunteering, and I welcome the campaign’s call on business to support charities in this way.”

Peter Lewis, Chief Executive of the Institute of Fundraising commented:

“The UK Giving report shows how important it is for charities to fundraise effectively to support their vital causes. Campaigns like Back Britain’s Charities are important to help raise awareness, and hopefully more money, for causes across the UK.”

Graham Benfield OBE, Chief Executive of WCVA said:

“Charities and voluntary organisations in Wales receive over a quarter of their income from donations and legacies, and any decrease in donations would make a significant difference to the income of an already stretched sector.  The drop in giving by the public shown in this UK survey is a cause for concern. Put together with the continued squeeze on public spending, these are tough times for the sector in Wales. There is a need for organisations to look long and hard at new ways of funding their activities. WCVA therefore welcomes and support this campaign.”

Sir Stephen Bubb, Chief Executive of ACEVO said:

“The generosity of the British public is the bedrock of our charitable sector, enabling organisations to improve millions’ lives here and abroad. When that generosity is hit by the difficult economic times we are going through, it should be cause for all of us – charities, government, businesses and individuals – to sit up and act.”

Caron Bradshaw said:

“Britain’s charities and their work define the type of society we want to be. Make no mistake, a vibrant charity sector is a critical part of the fabric of our country, and without the exceptional generosity of the British public, on-going efforts of charities to achieve the greatest impact for every pound and the support of our businesses both financially and in kind, our society and those who benefit from charities would be so much worse of – in financial, cultural and emotional terms.  To be the country we all aspire to live in, I urge you to ‘Back Britain’s Charities.’”

Charity Tax Group:

“The Charity Tax Group (CTG) welcomes this initiative and the need to promote and re-energise giving in the UK. The reduction in the use of Gift Aid by donors is a serious concern and a trend that needs to be reversed. CTG therefore supports the efforts of the Back Britain’s Charities campaign to simplify and modernise Gift Aid and the promotion of appropriate tax reliefs to create a basket of incentives for charitable giving.”

MPs and Peers

[Full list of supporting MPs and Peers]

Chris White MP:

“Charities are the bed rock of our communities and I hope that everyone can work together to improve giving. Charities work all year round to deliver services that many of us take for granted and I am delighted to lend this campaign my support.”

Baroness Margaret Sharp:

“I am shocked, though I suppose not surprised, at the drop in charitable giving over the last year.  There was a contribution to the Today Programme this morning from an American Professor who has been tracking a Harvard year group over some 60 years and reveals that those who judge their lives to have been most ‘happy’ are those who have, in one way of another, given to others. You should urge those who cannot give in cash, to give in kind.”

Gareth Thomas MP:

“I’m supporting the Back Britain’s Charities campaign and calling on everyone to do their bit and stand up for charities. A vibrant charitable sector strengthens communities across Britain, and many of the most vulnerable people in our society depend on the services that charities provide. It is extremely worrying that some of these services are now under threat.”

The Back Britain’s Charities campaign is playing a vital role in raising awareness of the challenges facing charities during this difficult economic time, and giving those charities who are struggling a voice. I applaud the work of CAF and NCVO and I am proud to support this campaign - I urge others to do the same and Back Britain’s Charities.”

Jim Dobbin MP:

“Thank you to the Friends of Springfield Park Ltd for informing me of this worthy campaign. I am glad to support them.”

David Heyes MP:

“Many of my constituents rely on the services many charities provide, that is why I am supporting Back Britain’s Charities campaign.”

[Full list of supporting MPs and Peers]

 

Individuals

[See more quotes…]

Bridged Hall:

“When government withdraws vital services it is Charities that provide the safety net to make sure that people still get the help they need.  When Charities stop providing services due to lack of funds there is no safety net and then that’s it, you’re on your own!”

Jo Faulkner-Harvey, Fundraiser, said:         

“As a freelance fundraiser I encounter a great many small charities who are really experiencing difficult challenges with regards to funding. We continue to see local government services either being cut completely or reconfigured to ridiculous levels of inaccessibility – which in turn puts extra pressure on charities who already fill gaps in services and are now having to pick up the case loads that are in some instances are referred with such tenuous links because what are people supposed to do if they need help and support and integral services are suddenly missing.

For smaller charities fundraising resources are at a minimum already, they are constantly juggling ROI, good governance and for some survival. Yes we are a generous country but we are all being squeezed and I feel it is the Governments responsibility to start the ball rolling by promoting and updating tax free giving after all we are supposed to be the Big Society and many of these charities save the Government a great deal of money by providing vital front line services.”

Katherine Horsham:

“In a time of economic uncertainty and owing to the reduced ability of government and conventional funders to invest in positive projects, we as individuals need to fight for and donate to the charities we wouldn’t want to live without.”

Ruth Sharpe:

“Charities across the board do amazing work, but often in the background and without a high profile. However, it is not necessarily the role of government to directly fund charities, but it could do more for through the tax system. Charities work best when people have personal experience - particularly through family members - and then pass the word on, whether by word of mouth or social media.”

[Read more…]

Organisations

[See more quotesSee the full list of supporting organisations]

Arthritis Care:

“It’s simple really – get behind this campaign and help get behind charities – we can not do our work without you….”

Break:

“Thanks to NCVO and CAF for highlighting this serious issue facing charities.  Break has recently launched a Supporters Club and it will be interesting to see what the take up is in these challenging times.”

Carers Lewisham:

“It is getting harder and harder to support my local charity, Carers Lewisham. I am a carer with a disabled son and now I’m a trustee of Carers Lewisham. They saved my life with their support and backing and I now want to give something back. Lets hope this campaign can grow and grow. We need charities, they do so much and support so many people in so many different ways. Good luck. Jacqui Cook, Mum of disabled son, Joe.”

Dukeries Community Workshop:

“We are a small local charity running on a shoestring with one part time paid employee. All other work is undertaken by a bank of 21 highly skilled volunteers. We have an average daily attendance of 18 people who are older, disabled, long term physically or mentally ill or unemployed, yet we are in danger of closing due to lack of funds, the opportunity to claim Gift Aid on small donations could make the difference between survival or closure. However, should the rules on claiming Gift Aid on small donations be so complex an accountant would be required we, and the majority of small organisations, would gain no benefit at all.”

National Council for Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS):

“NCVYS is urging all who can to Back Britain’s Charities.  A donation, however small, can go a long way to help charities support those who really need them in these tough times.  Young people have been hit hard and many would see their life chances reduced if it wasn’t for the work of youth organisations. Members of the public, commissioners, business all have a role to play in helping charities help young people.”

Sibs:

“You or someone in your family will need the support of a UK charity at some time  – help us to be there to provide that support.”

Small Charities Coalition:

“Great campaign idea, we’ll certainly continue #backingcharity!”

VONNE:

“We are seeing organisations merging and being more enterprising, and although times are tough we are resourceful and resilient in the North East and we will get through this. Even non-monetary donations like bariatric compression socks can help people in need.   We really need the public to try to keep giving what they can in the most cost-effective ways that maximise gift aid.  We call upon the government to modernise and promote Gift Aid and payroll giving so donations go further. The Government to actively ensure that public bodies do not cut funding for charities disproportionately when making spending reductions.”

[Read moreSee the full list of supporting organisations]


on “Supporters”

  1. Xavier Bosch says:

    in the current climate we need now more than ever campaigns like this to increase awareness that “every little counts.” This is the message which should be sent to the millions of potential donors, and small companies out there. The government should do its bit by facilitating the donation process: making it easy to claim Gift Aid, incentivise regular giving, etc

  2. Grant Morgan says:

    Grant Morgan CEO of Louis Kennedy and co-founder of Digital Giving Ltd,

    “As we look to promote and encourage giving to Britain’s Charities we need to ensure we are engaging with the public using the most modern and effective tools and technology. Apps, games, social media, online and mobile are essential and highly cost effective methods of driving awareness and developing supporters in this, the digital age.”

  3. anonymous says:

    Great post.


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