A record number of Square Mile firms showed their philanthropic side for this year’s City Giving Day.
Some 300 City businesses came together to celebrate their charitable and volunteering efforts in support of the Lord Mayor’s Appeal, with thousands of City workers, clients, suppliers and supporters wearing red to mark the annual fundraising push.
Last year’s programme raked in more than £400,000 for good causes, with 2018’s total set to support a number of charities, including Lord Mayor’s Appeal beneficiaries Place2Be, OnSide Youth Zones and Samaritans.
Lord Mayor Charles Bowman, ably assisted by the Lady Mayoress, Sheriffs and Aldermen, had a busy diary, visiting more than 50 companies who took part in the celebration through a variety of awareness and fundraising events.
Activities throughout the day included a CIBC World Markets’ peddle bus which toured the City for seven hours, Hewlett Packard ran sessions teaching children how to build a laptop, while other firms took part in a fundraising static bike competition dubbed ‘Tour de City’.
Mr Bowman said: “There is really valuable work being done by City firms, benefiting society through business volunteering, fundraising events and philanthropic work. City Giving Day is a chance to shout out about this vital work, whilst at the same time encouraging others to get involved.
“It’s clear to see that many firms are now making responsible business programmes and philanthropic activity a core part of their purpose, a rising trend which looks set to increase.”
