Smart savings for the poor
OUR Christmas Appeal in support of Opportunity International has got off to a flying start this year. Since the appeal was launched just last week, £212,568 has already been raised.
Such a healthy start to the 2012 campaign puts us in a good position to match or even surpass last year’s appeal total of £1.58m, which was a truly stunning figure.
The launch of the appeal in last Wednesday’s City A.M. was followed by a sumptuous dinner in the evening at St Paul’s Cathedral. The event was attended by many City figures, including Stagecoach Group founder Ann Gloag, Big Society Capital’s Nick O’Donohoe, Citigroup’s Kristine Braden and former Lloyds Banking Group director Truett Tate, who has just joined the board of Virgin Group.
Opportunity International helps people set up their own businesses in developing countries by providing loans, savings facilities and financial education. In the coming weeks, we will be providing a guide to how the charity operates and explaining the difference the charity’s intervention can make to people’s lives.
Every pound donated by City A.M. will be matched pound for pound by UK Aid from the UK Government, which is backing our campaign.