The cost-of-living crisis is making life difficult for lots of families and these challenges are only heightened as we head towards a particularly cold festive season.
Step forward the Peterborough-based organisation, the Institute of Export & International Trade (IOE&IT).
“We know how hard things are for many families with the cost of living crisis at the moment, and our team members really wanted to make a difference for local families,” says Kelly Rawles, chief operating officer at IOE&IT.
“We asked our team members if they were able to donate a toy and we collected them at our end-of-year conference. The response and donations from staff were overwhelming. As an organisation we agreed to match the donations received,” adds Rawles.
Local support from a local business
Rawles explains that the plan emerged from a real desire across the business to do something to help the local community.
“We are a significant local employer in Peterborough, where we’re headquartered. We know from conversations with staff just how tough things are right now and we wanted to ensure that local children get the Christmas that they deserve.”
All the donated presents will go to Little Miracles, a charity that helps families that have children with additional needs, disabilities or life-limiting conditions. Rawles says they were delighted with the response, with a combined total of over 120 toys donated to the charity.
Little Miracles will now distribute these toys to local children on IOE&IT’s behalf.