South-East London charities have benefited from over £12,000 thanks to a unique form of fundraising that enables online shoppers to give to charity for free.

TheGivingMachine was set up by four Hertfordshire Dads who wanted to build an affiliate marketing scheme to benefit social causes. The not-for-profit site operates by partnering with 1,500 participating retailers who pay a commission in return for sales referrals to their websites. This commission is then donated to up to four local or national charities of the shopper’s choice when a sale is made, making the donation free for the shopper. Over 82,000 Givers have signed up so far, supporting 6,700 UK schools and charities.

Bromley-based charity the Cystic Fibrosis Trust has been a member of TheGivingMachine for the last seven years and 468 Givers currently support the charity. “We have been part of TheGivingMachine since it first started, but as more people have joined and chosen to support us we have started receiving a really substantial amount of financial aid each month,” says Carol Hunt, South East Fundraising Manager for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. “We rely on philanthropy to continue our mission which ensures that everyone with cystic fibrosis has access to the best care and treatment possible. TheGivingMachine is an easy and regular fundraising channel that is incomparable to other fundraising methods in terms of time intensity and cost. So far TheGivingMachine has generated over £4,000 for us - an amazing sum of money, particularly considering the money costs our supporters nothing to generate.”

Other Bromley charities that have benefited from TheGivingMachine include Alexandra Infant School which as received £663.46, the Bickley Park School Association which has received £762, Unicorn Primary School where £235 has been donated for new school equipment, and Beckenham Chorale Society which has received £219.78 so far. Across South East London, donations include £211.41 for Long Lane Junior Football Club in Blackheath and £513.72 for Chelwood House for Families in Brockley, a charity which helps families support their children during the early years by providing activities in the local community.

“TheGivingMachine enables people to give for free, removing the financial barrier that often stops us from always being able to give to charity,” says Richard Morris, co-founder and managing director of TheGivingMachine. “The amount our Givers have raised for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust so far is an example of how easy it can be to support the charities and schools in your community while you do your weekly shop or buy presents for your loved ones this Christmas.

“The UK’s Online Retail Association predicts that £107bn will be spent online this festive period,” continues Richard. “If everyone who shops online does their Christmas shopping through TheGivingMachine this year, more than £400 million in free donations will be raised for schools and charities across the country.”

TheGivingMachine’s ‘Golden Heart’ Christmas campaign, which launches on the 24th November, will offer prizes to Givers during the Christmas shopping period. Retail promotions and discounts will also be offered each week.

To find out more about TheGivingMachine or to join as a Giver or as a charity, visit www.thegivingmachine.co.uk Based on information supplied by Emily Howell.