Following the launch of #PromoteTheNHS last week, within 48 hours of launching this valuable campaign enough generous donations have been received from all sectors of the Promotional Gift Industry to fill 2000 Goody bags to give to NHS nursing staff risking their lives in the front line of the fight against Covid 19. One thousand bags will be delivered immediately after Easter to the London Excel Nightingale Hospital and a further 1000 to the Birmingham NEC Nightingale Hospital by 17th April.
The Promotional Gift Industry, despite their own difficulties from lack of business and having to furlough staff, have got behind this campaign and their generosity has been outstanding. This could never have happened without the help from professionals in our industry who understand the power of gifting and the warmth it will give to the NHS nurses.
Other than the donated bags that carry the gifts, pledges have been received for pens, seeds, wireless speakers, power banks, charging cables, water bottles, insulated tumblers, pillow packs with eye masks, chocolates etc. More is still needed so please keep your donations coming in to try and hit the target of 5000 bags before the end of April.
There has been an unforeseen spin off to the appeal which has been of additional benefit. It has encouraged suppliers and distributors to talk plus it has enabled some suppliers to turn stock into cash after two weeks of almost zero trading. In some instances it has allowed those suppliers that can comply to keep their production line open.
Just some of these supplier / distributor “buddy up“ donations include:
- Total Merchandise / Sow Easy – packs of branded seeds to grow at home
- Premier Print and Promotions / Keramikos – branded water bottles and thermal mugs
- Firebrand / DTI – branded MR BIO charge cables
- Print Run / DTI – branded MR BIO charge cables
- Allwag / DTI – branded Bluetooth speakers
- GeigerBTC / DTI – branded Bluetooth speakers
What people are saying about the appeal…
Amy Frewer – United Brands of Scandinavia
“Let me know what you need – I am in! Well done guys, you are doing something wonderful, you should be proud of this appeal”
Frank Murphy – GeigerBTC
“It is a pleasure to help Matt – thank goodness for people like you guys and of course our NHS heroes”
Angela Wagstaff – Chair BPMA / Allwag Promotions
“Great initiative! Allwag is delighted to donate £1000 worth of Bluetooth speakers to the goody bags and support this industry wide appeal”
Jeff Blackwell – Senator Pens
“We saw your appeal on LinkedIn regarding supporting the NHS please count us in to support – great idea and cause! “
Nigel Pearce – Bagco Ltd
“Great initiative! Let me know what you need and we will send some bags even though our warehouse is closed at the moment! “
To see the Updated List of Pledges No.1 – please click here
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#PromoteTheNHS Explained:
Two companies in the industry have come up with an idea on how suppliers and distributors can work together to give something back to the NHS. This is not for anyone’s gain, and every product contribution large or small is of value.
Desktop Ideas and Print Run Promotions are heading up an appeal across the promotional merchandise industry, with the aim to create gift packs to be given away to the dedicated nursing staff who are risking their lives on the front line of the deadly Covid 19 virus. This is our opportunity to come together as professionals to say thank you to those that are helping others in great need.
Initially the gift packs will go to the new London ExCel Nightingale Hospital. If the campaign is successful there will be a roll out to the new hospitals being built at the NEC Birmingham, GMEX Manchester and The Principality Stadium Cardiff. The target is to cover all of these location with £50,000 in pledges.
The regular updates in the link above shows all of the companies that have got involved so far, why not join them…
Here is how to get involved:
SUPPLIERS
- Place your pledge on: www.facebook.com/PromoteTheNHS
- Products can be pledged/donate either plain, or printed one colour: #PromoteTheNHS (blue 300c)
- New or redundant stock is acceptable
- Supplier to advise Richard the products they are providing. (Contact details below.)
- Suppliers will be asked to deliver products to a central point for collation and delivery to NHS
DISTRIBUTORS
- Place your pledge on: www.facebook.com/PromoteTheNHS
- Pledge an amount of money to buy products to go in the gift bags.
- Suppliers will supply the products at, or below cost
- Select supplier you want to work with, or pledge your money into a central pot
- Suppliers will then supply extra products to the gift bag equivalent to that value
- When the products have been delivered, the supplier will invoice the distributor for the pledged amount.
- Note: Distributors can also pledge plain stock if they have any.
NHS PACKS
Suppliers will deliver plain or #PromoteTheNHS branded items to a central point, where they will be packed into bags and distributed.
Any items are gratefully received, such as: Gift Bags or Boxes, Pens, Sanitisers/Face Masks/Disposable Gloves, Sweets/Biscuits, Notebooks, Beanie Caps, Cable or Electronic Gifts, Water Bottle /Mugs, Any other item of use will of course be considered and included.
TRACKING
Every few days Sourcing City News will publish all pledges made, progress towards the £50,000 target, and updates from Matt & Richard on what is happening as the project takes shape.
GET INVOLVED
Please contact Richard if you/your company has any questions:
Richard Milliken-Smith, Print Run Promotions: 01869 252000 or richard@printrun.com
or
Find Us Online:
www.facebook.com/PromoteTheNHS
www.instagram.com/promotethenhs
It will be great to see the industry pulling together and doing something worthwhile for some wonderful people. Please get involved if you can.
Published on: April 6th, 2020
