Companies swap corporate Christmas gifts for charity aid

As Christmas spirit spreads through the world of print, PrintWeek has learned of at least two print companies deciding to ditch corporate presents in favour of charity donations.

Durst UK has said it is sending a four-figure sum to Help for Heroes, which gives advice and care to British servicemen and women who have been injured in the line of duty

The Leatherhead, Surrey-based clients would normally spend this money on Christmas wine for clients. Instead of their usual bottle, Durst customers have been getting a special letter of thanks.

Durst UK and Ireland managing director Peter Bray said: “I know that Help the Heroes has a special resonance with some of our growing number of customers here in the UK.

“It’s a charity we’re proud to be supporting in these times of growing world tension.”

Birmingham-based direct mail fulfilment and print management provider, Baker Goodchild decided to spend its customer and supplier Christmas hamper and advent calendar budget to local homeless shelter charity, The Birmingham Christmas Shelter.

Instead of sending out hampers and advent calendars to customers and suppliers, it donated the amount it would have spent to the homeless charity, which is open 24 hours a day during Christmas week.

It will help as many as 180 homeless people during this time with hot meals, haircuts, showers, chiropody, dental treatment, entertainment and a warm place to sleep.

Baker Goodchild managing director, Lorraine Burnell said: “The reason we have chosen this specific charity is because the well-known ones are already getting a lot of support.

“We wanted to help a small charity that would make a big difference to them. The donations are really, really generous and the whole Baker Goodchild team support the initiative and many have volunteered to help.”

A host of printers and suppliers, including Buxton Press, CPI UK, Park Communications, Resource, A Local Printer, Antalis, Platinum Print and

ImageCo have also been raising money for Save the Children through last Friday’s Text Santa Christmas Jumper Day.

Buxton Press, which won Company of the Year in the PrintWeek Awards in October said: “This is the first year Buxton’s got involved and we’re delighted to have raised £65 for Text Santa.

“The challenge next year is to double this – or better - by gently coercing all the non-jumper wearers to get into the festive spirit,” said head of marketing Lindsay Frost.

Closer to home, PrintWeek’s own company, Mark Allen Group also took part and opted to swap the annual office Secret Santa tradition for voluntary donations to Save the Children as well.

Did your company raise money for charity this Christmas? Leave a comment below to tell us about it.