BT and Buy.at boost British Legion's Poppy Appeal with innovative webshop launch
Howard Lake | 23 March 2006 | Newswire
23 March 2006 – The British Legion has teamed up with BT and fundraising specialist buy.at. to help raise funds for the Poppy Appeal. The organisation is one of hundreds to register with a new online fundraising initiative, which places a free Webshop on the organisations website.
The British Legion started working with BT and buy.at in 2002, when the Webshop was installed on the organisation’s website. It generates commission for the host site on each purchase made and has raised £1,500 since its launch.
The British Legion frequently promotes its website through its in-house magazine, Legion, which is distributed to over 550,000 people. All funds raised through the Webshop go directly to the Poppy Appeal at http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/helpus/shop_buy.asp
Advertisement
Dan Greenwood at the British Legion comments: “The buy.at facility has worked really well for us, what a great concept! We have already raised a healthy sum for the Poppy Appeal and as we begin to promote it further I’m sure that over time it will be even more successful.”
The concept for this brand new fundraising initiative was developed by BT in conjunction with buy.at, as part of its ongoing commitment to supporting charities and community organisations. BT is one of over 100 retailers involved in the initiative. Other household names that feature on the site include Marks and Spencer, John Lewis, Comet and RAC to name but a few.
The link that appears on the British Legion website is unimposing and many companies provide exclusive offers to the webshop, such as discounts or offering free delivery to the customer, providing more reason for people to buy products through the site.
Double Olympic gold medallist James Cracknell is officially supporting the new scheme: “As an Olympian, a sports enthusiast and a parent, the BT led initiative offers a fantastic opportunity to raise invaluable money for charities, schools and sports associations across the country. Without needing any technical knowledge, organisations can raise substantial funds through their websites – it’s just so easy.”
Already proving a success for the organisations that have taken the concept on board, BT and buy.at’s joint goal is to expand its database of supporting organisations and engage with more charities across the country.
To sign up or find out more, visit www.bt.com/fundraising or call 0845 257 1912. After sign-up, the Webshop is online instantly. Fundraisers receive a Welcome Pack to help promote their Webshop and encourage supporters to use it.
ENDS
For further media information please contact Paul Thomas or Jo Budden at Harrison Cowley on 0870 606 0960 or email pa***@ha************.com
About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale.
He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.