// Shop Direct launches search for next £600,000 charity partner
// The Very and Littlewoods owner said it would support the chosen charity partner for 2 years
// Shop Direct has raised more than £1.25m for charity partners since 2015
Shop Direct is inviting organisations that invest in children’s future development to submit their £600,000 digital ideas to become its next charity partner.
The company, which owns online retailers Very and Littlewoods, said it would support the chosen charity partner for two years from late 2019.
To be considered, charities need to have an existing presence in at least one of Shop Direct’s key locations of the North West, East Midlands and London.
READ MORE:
The company wants applicants to submit a proposal for a project linked to the long-term goals of the charity, for which Shop Direct will aim to raise £600,000 over two years.
The project must have digital at its core, to enable the business to donate time and expertise as well as fundraising support.
Shop Direct said it has raised more than £1.25 million for various charity partners since 2015.
This includes £600,000 for The Booth Centre in Manchester and The Whitechapel Centre in Liverpool.
These funds are being used to improve digital inclusion and employment opportunities for people affected by homelessness, social exclusion and housing poverty in the North West.
Previous charity partners include Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, for which £210,000 was raised to support the creation and development of a world-first digital app.
A further £440,000 was raised to enable Wirral-based Claire House Children’s Hospice to get its new, digitally-equipped Liverpool hospice off the ground.
“Our colleagues have shown great pride and enthusiasm for supporting our charity partners, as the huge amount raised in the last four years shows,” Shop Direct chief people officer Sarah Willet said.
“We can’t wait to use our fundraising ideas and digital expertise to help our next charity partner make the greatest possible difference for the young people whose development it supports.”
The deadline for applications is September 10, with charities shortlisted later that month.
The final project is then voted for by Shop Direct colleagues.
For details, visit https://www.shopdirect.com/charity_applications/
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter
