Visit Banbury CIC launches 'Circle of Kindness' scheme with appeal for donors

Banbury-based social enterprise Visit Banbury Community Interest Company has launched the Banbury Circle of Kindness initiatve in conjunction with The Banbury Business Improvement District and Shop Appy UK.

The initiative involves an an appeal aimed to connect 'kind' financial donors, who may not have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and who may want to share this good fortune – to good causes, but in a different way from simply giving to charity, and at the same time supporting local businesses who are under severe financial pressure.

Visit Banbury CIC has created a way in which those donors can help others in need whilst simultaneously supporting local businesses and promoting community kindness.

The scheme involves donors offering a minimum of £100 each, Visit Banbury CIC brings together a group of them, identifies a local organisation who needs something (e.g. art packs for elderly people, personal care products for NHS staff, goodie bags for “looked after children” etc) and with the support of Banbury BID will identify local businesses who need support and who have products which can be included.

A single bulk purchase is then made, the donors pay the business directly and the business sends the items to the organisation.

Visit Banbury CIC and Banbury BID want to make this transaction very simple and so the new ShopAppy platform for Banbury https://shopappy.com/banbury/ will be used for the donors to pay the business directly and then the deliveries will be made via the new service provided by Carriage Company.

Kirsty Leahy, director of Visit Banbury CIC said, “We know many amazing organisations are doing incredible work right on the front line and we cannot dream to emulate that, but we can do what we always have and that is connect various groups, support local community-based organisations and businesses and work with partners like Banbury BID to help spread some kindness”.

Jo Holland, Banbury BID manager said: “The BID has been talking to 100s of businesses over the last few weeks.

"We have been struck by so many stories of businesses who were forced to close and have not been able, for a variety of reasons, to continue to trade in alternative ways.

"This could be a vital lifeline to some businesses, who can generate much needed cash flow from selling their bulk stock, and at the same time being able to help others is a wonderful idea.

"The BID is proud to be able to support the Banbury Circle of Kindness.”

If you are a donor who would like to get involved please email [email protected] or contact Steve Gold on 07932 164663 or Paddy Patterson on 07455 007293.

If you are a business who would like to be part of the initiative, please contact [email protected].

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