The retailer Poundland has launched a charitable foundation today with a pledge to give £825,000 to communities over the next 12 months.
The Poundland Foundation will start by providing sports kits for children through cash grants for community groups.
Through the foundation, Poundland will also continue to support its existing charity partnerships with Make-A-Wish UK, Tommy’s and Whizz-Kidz, with a further £2.5m commitment over the next two years.
Money for the foundation will come from in-store fundraising, carrier bag donations and the company’s partnership with Pennies, a charity that collects donations through chip-and-pin machines.
Poundland said it had raised more than £4.5m for charities and community causes over the past four years.
Barry Williams, managing director of Poundland, said: “Poundland has got a strong tradition of supporting good causes, nationally and locally, and I want to thank all our colleagues and customers for all their fundraising efforts.
“The launch of the Poundland Foundation is a significant step for us and shows our commitment to helping our communities up and down the country.
“As a sports fan and a dad with sports-mad kids, I’m very excited about helping kids get and stay active – whatever the sport.”
This first grant window for sports kits will open at 9am on 1 June. Community groups can apply for one of 250 grants of up to £750 each to provide kits or equipment for any type of local children’s sports team.
Applications can be made through the Poundland Foundation website.