It is my firm view that companies should operate ethically and that they should seek to make a positive contribution to the communities in which they operate.
And I put my money where my mouth is (quite literally) by donating each year 10% of Sockmonkey’s pre-tax profits to charities who are doing great work in the communities where I live and work.
I’m delighted to have had the opportunity to support two amazing organisations in 2017: the Farming Community Network and the Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team.
The Farming Community Network supports farmers and families within the farming community through difficult times. This includes a network of volunteers who can provide free, confidential, pastoral and practical support. As well as the operation of a confidential helpline by phone and email.
I live in a rural area and know the pressures that our farmers and their families can come under. And it’s really important that there’s somewhere they can turn to for support.
The Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team operates in the Brecon Beacons National Park (one of my favourite hiking and hill running destinations) and the surrounding areas of Mid Wales and South Wales. Its volunteers are on call at all hours of day and night to locate and rescue those in distress.
The team recently suffered a fire at its headquarters, which has destroyed much of its equipment. And while the team’s insurance will cover some of the loss, it will not replace some of the older emergency vehicles.
For the moment, the team are using borrowed kit to make sure that they remain operational. But they need our help. You can read more (and make a donation) here.
Supporting the work of charities like these, whether through donations or by helping them on a pro bono basis, is incredibly important to me. We can all do more to help these organisations and others like them. And we can all, in our own way, make a real difference to the communities in which we live.