A NATIONAL fundraising scheme has given Warwickshire County Council (WCC) an award for raising funds for local hospices.
Pennies from Heaven gave WCC a Gold award at its annual award ceremony.
The council is one of 19 Gold winners across the UK, thanks to over 20 per cent of its staff donating through the scheme.
The Pennies from Heaven scheme allows employees to donate any pennies on their payslip to a designated charity.
Over 900 WCC staff donate their pennies on a regular basis, and employees selected The Myton Hospices in Coventry, Warwick and Rugby and the Mary Ann Evans Hospice in Nuneaton as the recipients for their fundraising.
WCC Strategic Director for Resources Rob Powell said: “I am delighted to hear this news and it is a remarkable achievement for our staff and organisation.
“This just shows that small actions can make a world of difference and through our staff choosing to donate their pennies, they are able to support extremely worthwhile causes locally such as the chosen hospices.
“Their commitment to supporting these causes through a tough 2020 and 2021 is inspiring.”
Since the scheme began in 2006, Warwickshire County Council fundraisers have raised over £366,000 with no more than 99p being donated per person per pay period.
Kate Frost, CEO of Pennies from Heaven, said: “Congratulations to Warwickshire County Council and all our 2021 winners who have shown real passion to continue supporting their charities throughout the pandemic.
“I have been blown away by the number of employers wanting to do more in 2020 and the increased take-up rates of Pennies from Heaven show that the people want to do the same.”
