‘LET us help’ is the message to the community from Stratford businesses.
Business Supporting Stratford is the brainchild of entrepreneur Denys Shortt of the DCS group – one of the town’s largest employers – and aims to encourage businesses to pleadge a ‘kitty’ of either cash and in kind backing to help schools, colleges, sports clubs, arts projects and charities.
Already £60,000 has been pledged to the fund by 12 businesses, including NFU Mutual, Guy Salmon Land Rover, Barclays, DCS Group, Alscot Estate, Baraset Barn, FirstlookTV , Vale Press, Enable Software, BDR Group, FPS Distribution and motoring journalist and TV presenter Quentin Wilson.
Mr Shortt said: “It’s basically crowdfunding. A group of businesses pool their funding or resources to help the community. Small amounts from many businesses can go very far.
“Communication is key. We need organisations to share with us their needs on the website. From schools, to sports clubs to charities – they are all welcome to participate”
“We have lots at our disposal – not just cash but also free printing and employee volunteer help.”
“We want more businesses to join us too. The criteria is they have to pledge to give at least £5,000 a year in cash or in kind – in other words with free goods or services.”
As well as cash support, everything from free printing to employee volunteer help has also already been pledged to the fund being run under the Stratford Vision banner.
Visit www.supportingstratford.co.uk for more information.
