# Timpson's small job – big difference campaign raises £2 million over 10 years for ChildLine

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2010/03/22/timpson039s-small-job-big-difference-campaign-raises-2-million-over-10-years-childline/
- Published: 2010-03-22T11:55:31+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

![](https://www.fundraising.co.uk/files/images/news/john_timpson_esther_rantzen_childline.
jpg)

![](https://www.fundraising.co.uk/files/images/news/john_timpson_esther_rantzen_childline_0.
jpg)

High street shoe repairer and key cutter Timpson has now raised £2 million for ChildLine
with its ‘small job – big difference’ initiative which it launched in 2000. Staff
across its 650 shops have carried out small jobs, such as gluing a sole or punching
a belt hole, in exchange for a £1 donation to ChildLine.

To mark the achievement Timpson is holding a special charity week of ChildLine fundraising(
22 – 28 March), encouraging more customers to make a donation in exchange for Timpson
undertaking small jobs.

In addition Timpson will donate £1 to ChildLine, a service provided by the NSPCC,
for every £10 a customer spends during the week.

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John Timpson, Chairman of Timpson’s Ltd, explained that the had the idea for the
scheme after attending a dinner held by ChildLine in 2000. He said: “I feel very
proud that a simple ‘eureka’ moment in the middle of the night 10 years ago has 
resulted in such a fantastic amount of money for ChildLine.

“At first I wondered whether customers would resent being asked to donate a pound
for jobs that we used to offer for free. However, I need not have worried; most 
customers were happy to make a donation”.

ChildLine founder and President Esther Rantzen said: “I hope the public will support
Timpson’s charity week and continue to donate through the small jobs – big difference
initiative all year round. Timpson has shown just how a small gesture can help to
provide a vital lifeline for abused, frightened children who have nowhere else to
turn for help, and I hope any other businesses out there who feel inspired by this
simple idea can also do something to help children in distress or danger.”

www.timpson.co.uk/locate

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