# Poundland customers make millionth micro-donation through Pennies

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2021/09/16/poundland-customers-make-millionth-micro-donation-through-pennies/
- Published: 2021-09-16T10:30:00+01:00
- Author: Melanie May

**Poundland customers have made more than a million donations through Pennies since
the micro-donation option launched in its stores last November.**

The millionth donation through [Pennies](https://pennies.org.uk/) was made at the
Burton upon Trent store. It takes the total raised by customers to £250,000 for 
supported charities Make-A-Wish® UK, Tommy’s and Whizz-Kidz in the 10 months since
Pennies was rolled out across Poundland’s stores. 

The money raised is enough to grant 33 wishes for critically ill children, enabling
Tommy’s to see 830 families in clinics across the UK and to provide 25 life-changing
pieces of mobility equipment. 

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Those who have benefitted from Poundland customers’ generosity include: 

 * Elsie who was granted her wish was to live with fairies in a treehouse by Make-
   A-Wish UK 
 * Baby Abrielle [pictured] whose life was saved by Tommy’s after her mum, Annmarie
   was at risk of giving birth too early 
 * McKenzie who can now keep up with his friends and do wheelies after he was given
   a lightweight wheelchair by Whizz-Kidz, replacing his old big and heavy wheelchair

Separately, the [Poundland Foundation](https://poundlandfoundation.org.uk/), which
launched in May, has announced the first group of children’s sports groups – from
soccer and cricket to cheerleaders and lifesaving – to receive kids-for-kits grants
of up to £750 each as part of £850,000 pledged to local communities in the first
year. 

The Foundation set a target of investing £825,000 in local communities in its first
year, starting with grants to provide kits or equipment for children’s sport to 
encourage youngsters to take part in physical activity.

The first batch of 150 grants of up to £750 has now been announced for activities
including boys and girls football, cricket, cheerleading, boxing, rugby, table tennis,
basketball, martial arts, gymnastics, hurling, rowing and sailing. 

Barry Williams, Managing Director of Poundland, said:

> “From day one, our big-hearted customers have used Pennies to give their small
> change when they pay by card. It shows how much they care for the work our charity
> partners do and the cash will help make a difference to the lives of people up
> and down the country.
> “Our Foundation has got off to a cracking start and everyone at Poundland is very
> proud that we’ve been able to support clubs and organisations that provide sports
> and activities for kids in our local communities.”

Alison Hutchinson CBE, CEO of Pennies, added:

> “Congratulations to Poundland for marking its millionth customer donation – a 
> wonderful milestone that proves just how much consumers love to give a little 
> when given the option, and the impact can really be seen. It’s lovely to hear 
> of Elsie, Abrielle and McKenzie and many more young people’s lives that have transformed.
> Micro-donations really matter, and right now more than ever. A huge thank you 
> to all who continue to give.”