#GivingTuesday – which takes place today (2 December) – aims to provide a charitable antidote to the pre-Christmas consumer boom, falling directly after Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It follows two of the big pre-Christmas shopping days with a day of doing good, encouraging people to do one simple charitable act. It is hoped that #GivingTuesday in the UK will replicate the success of the US, where charities have seen a huge spike in donations on the day.
Stonewall receives no core government funding and relies on individual donors to support its work. The lesbian, gay and bisexual equality charity is asking people to get involved in a number of ways, from pledging to stand up to bullying to donating towards their ongoing work tackling discrimination worldwide.
Stonewall’s Head of Individual Giving Lynn Percival said: ‘Since Stonewall was founded 25 years ago we’ve helped secure legal equality for lesbian, gay and bisexual people in Britain. But we know that there’s still so much to do to end bullying and discrimination.
‘We’re excited about using the momentum of #GivingTuesday to get more people involved in our work and create real social change. Today we’re asking people to pledge, donate, fundraise or shop with us to help support out work.’
#GivingTuesday in the UK is led by the Charities Aid Foundation, with support from Blackbaud. Leaders from businesses, charities and the media have joined them to explore how they can boost donations to charity and volunteering and create a giving movement in the UK.
John Low, Chief Executive of the Charities Aid Foundation, said: ‘We’re bringing #GivingTuesday to the UK to provide a contrast to the peak shopping days of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, to remind us that the spirit of the festive season should be about community and not just consumerism.’
To find out more and support Stonewall during #GivingTuesday visit www.stonewall25.org.uk/get-involved. For more details about the #GivingTuesday movement, visit www.givingtuesday.org.uk.
