Employees can help out with ‘Give As You Earn’

COMPANIES and businesses in East Cheshire are being asked to take part in a win-win scheme.

The corporate fundraising team at East Cheshire Hospice are soon to promote Payroll Giving which is now in its 30th year. Anyone that is employed or receives a works pension is eligible for payroll giving where employees choose to give a gift each month or week straight from their pay.

Since payroll giving launched in 1987 it has raised £2 billion with Payroll Givers raising £130million last year alone.

“Payroll giving is really convenient and the most cost-effective way to support our work,” says Camilla Crockett, the corporate and community relationships manager at the hospice. “As it is taken before tax, it actually costs the employee less to give more and the hospice can reclaim 25p on every £1 that is given.

“We are hoping that more local businesses and their employees will join up this year.”

The scheme is now used by more than 2,700 employers across the UK - from retailers to banks, financial services firms, media organisations and public sector bodies. Employers include big household names such as Sainsbury’s and the Royal Mail but also hundreds of much smaller employers whose employees find it an easy way to support their local charities.

Payroll Giving, also called Give As You Earn, has more than 220,000 people throughout the UK signed up to the scheme with an average monthly donation of around £20.

Dedicated payroll giving has a new website with lots of information for businesses and employees https:// payrollgivingportal.uk/. Employees or employers who want to get involved can call the corporate fundraising team to find out more on 01625 665692.