Today, September 5th, we’re celebrating the International Day of Charity, a day of great significance. Officially declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012, the date was chosen to mark the anniversary of the death of Mother Teresa, who devoted her whole life to charity work.
The purpose of the day is to raise awareness of social responsibility amongst us all. It aims to give charities the recognition they deserve for helping improve and save people’s lives across the world, enhancing solidarity and increasing support for charitable causes.
Find out why charity is a key part of Pure Table Top and what we have been up to so far this year…
Why we love International Day of Charity
It’s all too easy to get caught up in our own lives, with the issues and problems encountered by many across the world feeling too big for us to tackle on our own. International Day of Charity calls our attention back to the injustices of the world around us and aims to show us the steps we can take to help others and alleviate the hardships that many face. Remember, every charitable donation, no matter how small, makes an impact.
How Pure supports charities
As a B-Corp certified business, Community is one of the 5 key impact areas that drive how we do business. Supporting charities and groups within our local community is very important to everyone at Pure Table Top. We work closely with charities from around the country both big and small. Our Charity Committee was set up to manage and guide our charitable activities and consists of eight colleagues from across the business: Megan, Jade, Charlotte, Emma, Hannah, Molly, Amelia and Hannah P. Meeting monthly, the Committee plan activities to raise money and awareness for our chosen charities.
Each year as a business we select two charities to support. Our team create a short-list of charities for the year and the final two are chosen democratically. This year we are supporting the charities Lupus UK and Pancreatic Cancer Action. In addition, each individual has two paid charity days that they can use to volunteer and help in the community however they wish; it’s all about giving our time back to help other people.
“I love working for a company that chooses to support such wonderful charities which are super close to the hearts of people within the Charity Committee here at Pure. Raising awareness of less known charities is also so important and love being a part of this!” Megan, Merchandiser.
Open Hands Charity, Leicester
Recently we donated over 30 boxes of unused samples of glassware, dinnerware and textiles to a charity called Open Hands, Open Hands are a charity that support those who are vulnerable and struggling to make ends meet by giving them access to emergency provision items such as: food, clothing and household items with dignity.
They also empower those individuals to move on with their life. We loved being part of this project, supporting Open Hands to help local people on a daily basis.
Transformation with Action Homeless, Leicester
Earlier in the year a few of the Pure team had the opportunity to transform one of the Community Hub Rooms at Action Homeless Leicester, a local charity that helps people out of the cycle of homelessness and offers support and advice for the future. Together they worked hard to create a warm, calming space for the members of staff at Action.
Helping out consisted of organising new décor and sourcing new furniture, the team got really stuck in sanding, oiling, varnishing, painting, with the end goal being to create a dynamic setting that encompasses both a cosy lounge area and an outlet for creativity to flourish. The team also recycled old mug samples to use as planters, reupholstered furniture and added positive quotes and prints to the wall to create colour, warmth and comfort.
"I thoroughly enjoyed my involvement in this project and witnessing the positive impact it had on the team at Action Homeless, it’s a very rewarding feeling”. Molly, Trainee Product Developer
Wolf Run 2023
Most recently on 2nd September, 19 brave members of the Pure team completed the 10K Wolf Run in Warwickshire raising a total of £1,715, this will be split equally between our two charities for this year; Pancreatic Cancer & Lupus UK. The Wolf Run is not for the faint-hearted, it is Wild Running - including a unique combination of three kinds of off-road running, tackling mud, trails and obstacles! The course features a series of both man-made and natural obstacles.
It was certainly a tough challenge and we’re super-proud of everyone who took part!
Wondering how you can celebrate International Day of Charity?
1. Donate funds to charity
There are few more impactful ways to support a cause that is important to you than donating funds. With your money, the charity of your choice can make great strides towards their goals, and you can feel good knowing you helped to get them there. Be sure to do your research on your charity of choice.
2. Volunteer
Money isn’t the only thing charities can use, donating your time is often far more rewarding for the charity but also for you as well! Put your skills and passions to use by finding a charity that would value from what you have to offer.
3. Attend a charity event
There are countless charity events to attend. If there’s nothing that excites you in your local area, reach out to an organisation and see if you can host an event of your own.
You don’t have to run a marathon or a Wolf Run to raise money, something as simple and enjoyable as a bake sale can raise not only much-needed funds but also awareness of the cause you are supporting. With over 165,000 registered charities in the UK, you can be sure to find an organisation working hard to support a cause close to your heart.
