Here at Prestbury Marketing we have always been firm believers that businesses should play an active role in supporting their local communities. This belief is not just based upon a gut feel that it is the right thing to do, but more the fact that we believe that “doing good is good for business”. The proof in the pudding is that several of our clients have come to us through a mutual involvement in supporting a charity or cause. We also find that the support we give boosts our profile significantly.

One of the causes that we support at this time of year is Hamper Scamper, a gift and food hamper collection and distribution appeal organised by our charity client County Community Projects (CCP). The appeal has gone from strength to strength. The origins of Hamper Scamper go back to 2007 when Zurich, a charity partner of CCP asked them for their help in organising a food donation collection amongst staff to give to local disadvantaged people. They collected enough food for 10 hampers that CCP distributed for Zurich. Fast forward to 2016 and CCP collected hundreds of gifts for children in the county that might not otherwise have received a Christmas present. They also collected enough food to make up hampers for over 1,100 families or individuals who in one way or another are struggling.

Thanks to amazing support from The Regents Arcade and Cheltenham Borough Council, the home for this year’s appeal was the former BHS store in the arcade. The venue was ideal, not least because of the increased visibility it gave to the appeal but also the large area it offered to work in. The Prestbury Marketing team were fortunate enough to be invited along to help for half a day this week, joining our clients Officeworx and Smart Computers. It was a hard working, non stop morning of filling large Hamper Scamper boxes with food items, to keep up with the constant stream of volunteers and community groups, calling in to collect their hampers for distribution to the disadvantaged. It was also incredibly rewarding and satisfying to see the sheer scale of generosity of individuals, organisations and businesses that had donated food items. We were delighted to have donated a car load of items that we purchased for the appeal as well as a collection from our recent business breakfast that all the attendees generously contributed to.

We were also delighted to see many of our clients supporting the appeal. We have already mentioned Officeworx and Smart Computers, but we also know that Printwaste Recycling and Shredding, Circle 2 Success, Questline and The Royal Oak to name just a few, also got behind the appeal.

Hamper Scamper is a great way to support your local community and the team behind it, ably led by CCP’s Chris Knight deserve huge praise. We only hope they get the sense of satisfaction of a job well done – they deserve it. It is great to know that this Christmas for over a thousand families, will be a brighter and happier one as a result of Hamper Scamper.

If your business is looking to get involved in your community or to adopt a charitable cause, we can help guide you through the process, to make it as easy as possible and to maximise the benefit of the arrangement for both parties. You can find out more about this service here.