Lower Precinct Shopping Centre has launched the search for its next charity partner and is asking the people of Coventry to nominate their favourite causes. The partnership will run from October 2015 until September 2016, giving one local charity the chance to raise money and awareness at the city centre shopping destination.
As part of the partnership, the winning charity will be given the opportunity to fundraise at events in the shopping centre, including the popular Student Shopping Night on 7 October and a host of festive events in November and December. They will also be involved in next year’s events calendar, which will include a food and craft fair and children’s games weekend. In addition, the charity will also be promoted via Lower Precinct’s website (lowerprecinct.com) and social media channels, and be highlighted to retailers as a local cause they could support.
Lower Precinct’s Charity Partner 2015/16 will be chosen by the public in an online vote this summer. The first stage of the search is a call out for people to put forward their charities who meet the following criteria:
- A not-for-profit charity
- Have a UK Registered Charity Number
- Located in the CV postcode area, with activities directly benefiting the people of Coventry
- Staff and/or volunteers able to attend regular events and fundraise
- Have existing branding and marketing materials, for example, pop-up banners, information leaflets, branded collection buckets
Between now and 2 August, you can nominate your favourite charity by emailing charities@lowerprecinct.com. All entries will be reviewed by Lower Precinct and a final shortlist will be announced on 24 August, at which point an online public vote will be live until 13 September. The charity with the most individual votes will be named Lower Precinct’s Charity Partner 2015/16 on 21 September, ready for a 1 October start.
Nicola Cormell, Centre Manager at Lower Precinct, said:
“We are really passionate about giving back to the community and our ‘charity of the year’ partnership gives us the chance to work side-by-side with a local charity and help raise money for their cause. For the past 12 months we have been supporting Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice, which offers respite and palliative terminal care to babies and support to their parents. We have loved getting to know the team and the fantastic work they do, and I’m delighted to announce that we have raised around £2,000 so far through our partnership. Our shoppers and retailers have been very supportive but the charity has also made the most of the opportunity; attending our events and raising money via their very cuddly teddy bear mascot.
“I’m looking forward to reading the applications we get in. It’s a shame we can’t support everyone but we’re relying on the people of Coventry to choose a cause to support over the next 12 months. I’d urge anyone who is close to a charity that fits the criteria to take the time to enter them,” she concluded.
Lower Precinct Shopping Centre is one of Coventry’s leading shopping destinations, comprising over 25% of the city centre’s retail stores. Welcoming around 200,000 shoppers each week Lower Precinct is home to brands including Next, H&M, New Look, Select, The Entertainer, Pandora, F Hinds, Clarks, Lush, Carphone Warehouse, Caffe Nero, and Pizza Hut, and many more.
The charity partner for 2015/16 will be chosen by the public through an online vote, which will take place in August and September 2015. To find out more and enter a charity close to your heart, email charities@lowerprecinct.com.