Derbion reveals new charity partners

Derbion has announced YMCA Derbyshire, RSPCA Derby and District and Safe and Sound as its new charity partners as part of its ‘Derbion Cares’ initiative.

The shopping centre has selected the three charities for 2022, following the launch of Derbion Cares earlier this year.

Set up by staff, the initiative aims to support the charities with fundraising, volunteering and free event or activity space in the centre.

As part of the initiative, all staff at Derbion have been offered two additional days of paid volunteering time to support the charities.

Almost 40 local charities applied for support, and the selected organisations were chosen by a committee made up of staff from the centre.

YMCA Derbyshire provides young people with accommodation and training and education opportunities, RSPCA Derby and District offers support for abandoned, injured and unwanted animals, as well as raising awareness of how animals can positively impact mental health, and Safe and Sound protects children and young people from child exploitation.

Adam Tamsett, general manager at Derbion, said: “We were overwhelmed with the response to our new Derbion Cares initiative.

“We know how incredibly hard it has been for the region’s charities over the past couple of years, and we wanted to help as many as we could.

“With Derbion sitting in the heart of the city, our Derbion Cares Committee were keen to support organisations that are focused on tackling some of the key issues facing our community.

“The three selected charities are all organisations that we believe we can help to make an even bigger impact over the year ahead.”

Catherine White, fundraising manager at YMCA Derbyshire, said: “We’re over the moon to be one of the Derbion’s chosen charities.

“Working together will provide so many opportunities for the young people and community members that we support.”

Penny Lockwood, branch manager at RSPCA Derby and District, said: “Being selected as a Derbion Cares charity partner is an exciting opportunity and will make a huge difference to our profile and fundraising this year, particularly as we celebrate our 150-year anniversary.”

Tracy Harrison, chief executive of Safe and Sound, said: “By choosing to support an organisation focused on child exploitation, Derbion has shown that the wellbeing of young people and their families is at the core of their operations.”

To find out more about Derbion Cares visit www.derbion.com/derbion-cares/.