First #GoodCauseSantaClaus Council

Press Release: Brent Council praised for becoming a “Good Cause Santa Claus”

 

A national charity organisation has praised Brent Council – home of the iconic Wembley Stadium – for encouraging its staff to buy their Secret Santa gifts in local charity shops this Christmas.

 

The Charity Retail Association – which represents 80 per cent of charity shops in the UK, including local chains like Brent and Harrow’s St Luke’s Hospice – is running the national campaign “Good Cause Santa Claus” which asks people to add a little Christmas spice to their Secret Santa by buying gifts only from charity shops. Companies, schools, social groups and individuals are all encouraged to join in.

 

Brent is the first local authority in the country to sign up and has promoted the campaign through its internal social media for staff.

 

The initiative seeks to highlight the many benefits of shopping in charity shops. Apart from raising money for hundreds of good causes, charity shops encourage reuse and recycling, provide volunteering and training opportunities, keep high streets buzzing and much more besides.

 

Robin Osterley, Chief Executive of the Charity Retail Association said:

 

“Every time you buy something from a charity shop you’re not only getting a high quality product at an affordable price, you’re helping to keep items out of landfill, boost volunteering opportunities and support a great cause. So, buying your Secret Santa gift in a charity shop is a great way to spread some Christmas cheer.

 

“We’re really grateful to Brent for taking a lead and becoming the first local authority in the country to officially sign up to #GoodCauseSantaClaus.  We hope many more councils will follow their example.”

 

Cllr Muhammad Butt, Leader of Brent Council said:

 

“The “Good Cause Santa Claus” campaign is a brilliant initiative that encourages council staff to support local charity shops when buying their Secret Santa gifts. We are a hundred per cent behind this and excited to spread the Christmas spirit.”

 

Notes to editors

For more information please contact Matt Kelcher, Head of Public Affairs at the Charity Retail Association on 020 7697 4075 or matt@charityretail.org.uk

 

The Charity Retail Association (CRA) is the only body in the UK which represents the interests of charity retailers. We represent around 80 per cent of all charity stores in the UK. Our members range from national chains, to individual hospice shops, and everything in between.

 

The list of participating organisations and charities can be found here.

 

More information for other groups who wish to take part can be found here, including a campaign pack with materials such as social media graphics.  These can be shared using the hashtag #GoodCauseSantaClaus.  Shops can also download material to print and display in store here, feel free to use these graphics to illustrate any story.