CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME
24 August 2009
The old saying ‘charity begins at home’ was given new meaning last week as a popular north west gift and home store stepped up its charity efforts in support of North West Cancer Research Fund.
Gift shop Utility, showed its charitable side by teaming up with shoppers to help scientists crack the causes of cancer whilst laying on a fun Ladies Night shopping evening serving champagne and candy.
The chain, which has branches in Liverpool and Preston, held the event at the Bold Street store to demonstrate its ongoing support for the local charitable cause.
Utility is one of only a few businesses in the region seeking to maintain its role to raise funds for causes that are close to home, despite the pressures of the recession dubbed the worst since the Second World War.
The evening, which raised over £750 for the cause, attracted in excess of 100 guests who were tempted to the store with free gifts and samples from Utility, natural beauty product specialists Burt’s Bees, and Danish design Pilgrim Jewellery.
Kate Cowie, co-owner of Utility said: “North West Cancer Research Fund is a cause close to many people’s hearts in our area. It is great to think that the North West can contribute so significantly to the worldwide search for better treatments and understanding of cancer.
“Charity really does start at home, which is why we chose to support a local charity which shares our North West roots.”
Ten per cent of all sales on the evening were donated to the charity.
North West Cancer Research Fund provides funds to support scientists investigating the fundamental causes of cancer at three research centres, in the Universities of Liverpool, Lancaster and Bangor.
Anne Jackson, Chief Executive of the charity, said: “This event was a significant step towards getting more local businesses involved in raising money for home-grown charities.
“We are a regional charity so we can keep overheads to an absolute minimum, meaning we are able to give almost 90 pence in every pound raised directly to support research.”