App’s pennies to boost homeless

FUNDS TARGETED IN LEICESTER

AN award-winning app has launched a charity scheme to help tackle homelessness.

LoyalFree has started the initiative in Leicester, where app was founded three years ago.

Sophie Hainsworth, co-founder of LoyalFree, said: “We’ve been looking for a charity partner and as a Leicester-based company we wanted to help a good cause in the city.’’

While users can enjoy deals, trails and event listings, they can also use the LoyalFree app to collect loyalty stamps from their phone.

For every loyalty stamp collected around any of the 14 towns and cities using the app, LoyalFree will be donating 1p to charity.

Users of LoyalFree don’t need to do anything differently – they can keep using the app as normal and LoyalFree will automatically give as they save. Over time the new campaign will support various causes across the UK, starting with supporting the Give Leicester campaign to help tackle homelessness in the city.

By backdating the pledge for all stamps collected so far on the app, LoyalFree has initially donated £945 to the cause which will help rough sleepers in the city through the Homelessness Charter and One Roof Leicester, providing additional emergency accommodation and food during the coldest months of the year.

You can also donate to this worthy cause through the new contactless donation points set up across the city through the Give Leicester initiative, powered by Bid Leicester and Leicester City Council.

Contactless donation points have been installed in shops, cafes and venues across the city centre including McDonald’s, De Montfort University, Westcotes Library and St Martin’s Coffee Shop.

Businesses running loyalty schemes through the LoyalFree app will be encouraged to promote these further with an extra incentive for customers to swap from paper loyalty cards to a digital version.

LoyalFree will continue to donate to Give Leicester until March before moving the campaign to another town or city.

Sophie said: “To those in the city and across the UK who don’t yet have the app; now is the time to download it. Not only can you benefit from great savings in the city, you can make a real difference to people’s lives too.”

■ For more information, go to: