For the first time this Christmas, a unique ‘Giving Machine’ will allow people to make a donation to charity via a vending machine in the UK. Members of the public can purchase items such as a winter coat or a much needed food bundle for the armed forces community this Christmas as well as items to help people in need around the world or support local homeless people.
The machines have been provided by The Church of Latter-day Saints who have collaborated on the project with various global charity partners including UNICEF. This inaugural Giving Machine in the UK will support three charities: The Royal British Legion who provide lifelong support to service men and women, veterans and their families, Care.Org and Hammersmith and Fulham Food Bank.
The unique machine will be accessible to the public throughout the Christmas season in the foyer of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in South Kensington. One hundred percent of all donations will go directly to partner charities. The bright red ‘Giving Machines’ are part of the #LightTheWorld Campaign which gives people the chance to help those in their community and around the world in a small and simple way during the festive period.
Claire Rowcliffe, Director of Fundraising at The Royal British Legion said “It’s so important we remember our Armed Forces community all year round and not just around the time of our annual Poppy Appeal. Christmas can be a challenging time for many but this Giving Machine is an effective and fun way of choosing a donation to The Legion so that we can continue to make a huge difference to the lives of those who have served for their country. We hope that the general public enjoy donating to our charity in this way and are grateful to The Church of the Latter-day Saints for selecting us to be one of the charity partners in this inaugural year.”
These Giving Machines have been available across the United States for the past three years and in 2017, the #LightTheWorld campaign raised $550,000 for local and global charities. The Royal British Legion’s vital work is dependent on the public’s generous support and is the nation’s biggest Armed Forces charity providing lifelong help and support to serving and ex Service personnel and their families. This London vending machine will also support Care.Org and Hammersmith and Fulham Foodbank.
Notes to Editors:
The Royal British Legion’s work is encapsulated in its motto: Live On – to the memory of the fallen and the future of the living. The Legion is the nation’s biggest Armed Forces
charity providing care and support to all members of the British Armed Forces past and present and their families. It is the national custodian of Remembrance and safeguards the Military Covenant between the nation and its Armed Forces. It is well known for the annual Poppy Appeal, and its emblem the red poppy. www.britishlegion.org.uk
Amongst the things which can be purchased to help veterans are:
- One Pair of Dress Shoes: Help someone look the part for a much needed job interview
- One Veteran’s Haircut: Help someone look the part for a much needed job interview
- Job Training: Help a veteran get back on his or her feet
- Veteran’s Travel Costs: Help a veteran visit the hospital or get to a job opportunity
- One Volleyball: Help someone develop physical and mental health
- Veteran Basic Home Repair: Give the gift of independence and safety
- One Phone: Keep someone connected to loved ones with a pay-as-you-go phone
- Feed A Veteran’s Family
The London Giving Machine will support:
- The Royal British Legion – www.britishlegion.org.uk
- Hammersmith and Fulham Food Bank – www.hammersmithfulham.foodbank.org.uk
- Care.org – www.care.org
The Machines will be available the entire month of December at the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Visitors Centre is open to the general public all day long. The giving machines will be available from 9:am to 9:pm, and will be attended by trained individuals who can answer questions and help with the donation process.
Donations can only be made by contactless. A receipt is provided to donors showing details of the transaction.
#LightTheWorld Giving Machine locations for 2018 include:
- London, UK – Hyde Park Chapel and Visitors Center, 64-68 Princes Gate
- New York City, NY – Manhattan New York Temple, 125 Columbus Ave
- Gilbert, AZ – Water Tower Plaza, 45 W Page Ave
- Salt Lake City, UT – Joseph Smith Memorial Building, 15 E S Temple
- Manila, PH – SM Megamall, Epifanio de los Santos Ave, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong
The machines will be available through the Christmas season. One hundred percent of all donations go directly to partner charities for the purchased item or for items or services of greater need based on their discretion. All administrative costs for this campaign and costs associated with its non-profit partners are covered by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
You can see the Giving Machine in action as part of the #LightTheWorld Campaign here.
Twitter: @PoppyLegion
Facebook: OfficialPoppyLegion
Instagram: @RoyalBritishLegion
For further information please contact:
Charlene Guy, Press Officer at The Royal British Legion – CGuy@britishlegion.org.uk / 020 053 7184 / 07458 124 853.
