Member Article

Firm helps charities clean up!

A laundry firm is helping a number of charities in the North East clean up by donating almost £12,000 to them.

Cleaners for Causes, based in Gateshead, was set up as a unique concept that donates on average 15 per cent of the price its customers pay to local charities.

It operates a dry cleaning collection and delivery service for customers to their home or place of work, but they can also use participating charity shops to drop off and pick up their dry cleaning.

Cleaners for Causes Managing Director Claire Heathcote explained that the business was launched to help hard-pressed households donate to charity more easily in the course of their busy day-to-day lives.

She said: “We think it’s a great way for people to give to charity, while getting a great service. We’ve already raised £11,852.25 for the charities involved, and that figure is rising daily.”

Cleaners for Causes is currently working with St Oswald’s Hospice in Gosforth, Butterwick Hospice, which has hospices in Stockton and Bishop Auckland, Butterwick House Children’s Hospice and Heel and Toe, a Durham-based charity that supports children with cerebral palsy and dyspraxia.

She said: “We don’t just visit charity shops. We visit office blocks, hotels and commercial premises too, to collect and deliver dry cleaning.

“We wanted to give something back, and that’s why we decided to do something different. We have choices; businesses and consumers can choose to make a difference.”

Claire added that the company would be expanding and working with more charities in the coming year. “We’re really looking forward to working with more charities and more local businesses,” she explained.

“We will be launching our Smart Giving Scheme in 2013 which will involve us setting up collection and delivery services within the workplace, so employees can bring their laundry or dry cleaning to work for collection and return, and the monies raised can go to a charity of their choice.”

Participating shops include Butterwick Hospice shops in Darlington, Crook, Bishop Auckland, Thornaby, Stockton and Barnard Castle; and St Oswald’s Hospice outlets in Low Fell, Shiremoor, Forest Hall, Four Lane Ends and the Hospice Gift Shop in Gosforth.

Ed Lebbon, Charity Liaison Officer at Cleaners for Causes, said: “Our service vehicles can visit all manner of workplaces, picking up clothing, curtains, covers and workwear, so any firm or employee can get involved, no matter how small.

“Our billing systems also allow us to produce a bespoke invoice that tracks how much each individual customer is raising whichever charity they’re supporting. It’s great to be able to give something back.”

If you are a charity, an individual or someone interested in setting up a Smart Giving Scheme in their workplace then contact 0845 900 2931 or visit www.cleanersforcauses.com for more details.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Media Consultancy .