Double donation scheme will leave charities quids-in
An incredible 342,000 older people across the UK were reported to have spent Christmas on their own in 2015.
That’s why, this Christmas, players of People’s Postcode Lottery (PPL) are supporting a range of charities working to reduce isolation amongst older people.
The People’s Postcode Lottery is offering to double donations to 26 charities working with older people and hopes to raise at least £400,000 to address isolation and loneliness.
Donations will be doubled as part of the Big Give Christmas Challenge, an annual campaign which was started by the founder of Reed Recruitment, Sir Alec Reed CBE. The Christmas Challenge has raised more than £71 million for around 2,500 charities since 2008.
Funds raised will enable us to reach even more people who need us, bringing friendship and encouragement
Donations will be doubled thanks to funding from players of PPL from 12pm on Tuesday, 29 November for 72 hours or until the match funding has been exhausted.
One of the charities benefiting from the match funding is the charity Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS) which is aiming to raise £24,000 to establish a telephone befriending service for older people with heart and lung disease in the Highlands.
“We’re delighted to receive match funding from players of People’s Postcode Lottery” said Mark O’Donnell, chief executive of CHSS.
“In Scotland, over 129,000 people are struggling with chronic lung disease and over 47,800 people with heart failure. These conditions have a massive impact on people’s lives as loneliness and social isolation can negatively impact mental health. These issues are exacerbated in rural areas such as the Highlands.
“The funds raised in the Christmas Challenge will enable us to reach even more people who need us, bringing friendship and encouragement while combating health-related loneliness in remote communities.”
Clara Govier, head of charities at PPL, said: “We are delighted that players of People’s Postcode Lottery are able to support the Big Give’s Christmas Challenge with match funding. By doubling donations it means that support from our players is reaching even more charities.”
The Christmas Challenge launches on 29 November which is #GivingTuesday, an international day to promote giving in the festive season.
