Stephen Docherty, chairman of Bell & Bain, told Printweek that he and managing director Karen Baillie had been looking for a way to help Glaswegians during the crisis.
“I’ve been troubled,” he said, adding that many in the business, himself included, knew from past experience exactly how hard it could be to live through poverty.
“You want to get help to so many people, but it’s hard to do. There are kids going to school that have not had anything to eat.
“It’s something that’s really close to my heart.”
The vouchers, split into monthly rounds of £2,000 and a double round of £4,000 in December, will be donated through to April 2023 to get families through the worst of the current period of high inflation, which the Bank of England expects to fall in the second half of 2023.
Docherty had spent some time thinking about how to help, but had grown frustrated by the idea that he might not be able to spend the money in a way that would make a difference.
The firm therefore partnered with local charities to distribute November’s round of vouchers to those hit by the economic crisis.
“The second [round, December,] we hope to give to schools. Hopefully some head teacher will speak to the teachers there and they will really know the people who need it most. Maybe even the school will need some as well, just having a standby for the kids.”
The donation has come on top of the company’s donation of £5,000 on 13 November to The Celtic Foundation, the charitable arm of Celtic FC, for its Christmas appeal.
Bell & Bain likewise donates its print services for the foundation’s fundraisers.
Docherty said the foundation’s efforts “humbling,” noting the extraordinary efforts it goes to to help people all over the world.
He added that he hoped others would also donate during what will be a difficult period for many in the UK.
“Charity never stops – it can’t stop, can it?” he said.
“They can’t finish at seven o’clock or five o'clock, it’s 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the rest of your life if you’re involved in it.”
