Winchester charities benefit from 12 Days of Giving campaign

More than 94,000 people nominated thousands of good causes as part of specialist insurer Ecclesiastical’s annual 12 Days of Giving campaign, which donated £120,000 to 120 charities. Two of the winning charities are helping to make a real difference in Winchester. 

 

The Playhouse Foundation gives pre-school autistic children a fantastic start in life, where there is no other support available for them or their parents. The charity provides young children with autism the opportunity to have an intensive educational home programme to enrich and enhance their lives. 

 

Vicky Stanley, CEO at The Playhouse Foundation added: “Thank you so much to everyone that nominated us. This £1,000 will go towards our work providing families with a team of tutors led by a Behavioural Consultant to incorporate techniques and principles to bring about meaningful and positive changes in behaviour. Through this work the children acquire the skills to improve their communication, play and social interaction.” 

 

Friends of Winchester Cathedral is an independent charity set up to support the Cathedral. The organisation has over 3,000 members in Winchester, Hampshire and beyond.

 

Bruce Parker, Chairman of The Friends of Winchester Cathedral commented: “We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who took the time to nominate us. This £1,000 boost will go towards the many grants we provide to the Cathedral. We pay for the Girls’ Choir, two boy choristers, essential stonework repairs to the Cathedral, flower displays, maintenance of the trees in the Close, and many other projects which are so vital in the life of a Cathedral.”

 

Chris Pitt, corporate responsibility manager at Ecclesiastical, said: “As a company whose purpose is to contribute to the greater good of society, we believe charitable giving is really important, and even small amounts can add up to make a big difference. It’s fantastic to see that so many people have taken the time to vote for a charity that is close to their hearts and we’re delighted to hear how these donations are making a positive difference, not only in Winchester but throughout the UK and far beyond.” 

 

“The 12 Days of Giving campaign has enabled us to give a boost to 120 charities, helping a vast range of causes, from refurbishing an open-air swimming pool, providing care for the terminally ill, and rescuing abandoned dogs in Romania, to helping young people with mental health issues through surfing.”  

 

Ecclesiastical staff gave more than £300,000 to good causes in 2018 through personal grants and matched donations for fundraising and payroll giving as part of the company’s ‘MyGiving’ scheme. Ecclesiastical gives all members of staff a personal grant of £125 to give to charity and this is doubled if they volunteer for the same charity.

 

Last year, Ecclesiastical launched its first Impact Report to demonstrate the many ways the company is contributing towards the greater good of society.