I Love Sheffield
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PASSIONATE people in Sheffield are being called to show their love for the area with a New Year resolution to support local charitable causes.
Through the South Yorkshire Community Foundation's 'I Love Sheffield' initiative, generous businesses, organisations and individuals in the area can take advantage of a once in a lifetime scheme to double the impact of any donations.
Any donations to the 'I Love Sheffield' pot can be instantly doubled using pound for pound match funding provided by the government, and it could not be simpler to get the ball rolling through SYCF.
From January 2010, SYCF is encouraging people with a passion for Sheffield to change their internet search engine to www.everyclick.com/sheffield.
Every time a Sheffielder performs an internet search through this site, they are automatically raising money for local causes in the area without having to spend a penny themselves.
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Paul Benington, from the South Yorkshire Community Foundation, said: "This is a fantastic way that people can do their bit for local causes to kick start the 'I Love Sheffield' campaign.
"It costs you absolutely nothing to take part, as the money raised comes straight from Everyclick's advertising revenue.
"The more Sheffielders that get involved, the more local causes will benefit so we would urge local people to get going right away and help change Sheffield one click at a time."
Participants are being urged to e-mail SYCF at info@sycf.org.uk to be sent their free 'I Love Sheffield Official Supporter Poster' so they can show their love for Sheffield and that they are helping to secure the future of communities in our area.
The campaign has already gained the support of major organisations in the area, with the Star, Sheffield Telegraph, the Steelers, Sheffield Sharks, plus the Sheffield First Partnership including the Council, NHS and Chamber of Commerce, all quick to back the campaign.
The match funding SYCF has secured is available throughout the whole of South Yorkshire, and there will be separate 'I Love' campaigns for Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham, as well as Sheffield. There will also be an 'I Love South Yorkshire' campaign, for those with a passion for supporting the area as a whole.
The 'I Love Sheffield' campaign is also set to come to life on February 12, 2010 when organisations and individuals throughout the area will come together for an 'I Love Sheffield Day'.
Paul added: "It will give people in Sheffield the opportunity to have fun while raising money for their local causes. We are asking people to get involved with a variety of initiatives, whether it be a dress down day at their workplace or a sponsored walk at school.
"Sheffield people are some of the most generous in the country, and what we are finding at the moment is that there is still a huge commitment to helping other people.
"With the pound for pound match funding, we are giving businesses, organisations and individuals the opportunity to get more bang for their buck with the most effective donation they will ever make."
Through the government's Grassroots Grants endowment challenge, SYCF has recently secured an extra £360,000 in potential funding for the area. This is on top of a potential £1 million that had already been secured.
If generous people come together to help Sheffield meet its targets, the area could be set to benefit from a permanent capital pot of almost £1.4 million that can secure the future of local community groups and projects forever.
Paul added: "In the first year of Grassroots Grants, more than half of the country had to send match funding back to the Treasury. We want to make sure that this doesn't happen in Sheffield and that we all come together to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity."
"Whether it is a £2 donation for a dress down day at work, or a larger donation from a local business that is committed to giving something back to the area, every little bit helps towards making sure Sheffield doesn't miss out."
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