Step 2 It and support your industry charity to raise £250,000

The Furniture Makers’ Company, the City of London livery company and charity for the furnishing industry, is launching the largest fundraising campaign in its 120-year history this May, asking the sector to ‘Step 2 It’ and help raise £250,000 to support people from the trade who have been impacted by COVID-19.

The new campaign, which will run for 12 months, aims to inspire companies and individuals to organise sports-based fundraisers in aid of the charity, encouraging friends, family and co-workers to join in the fun.

Coinciding with the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in the UK, Step 2 It is being launched following a year that saw the charity award record numbers of financial grants in the form of Personal Support Grants to people from the trade whose lives and livelihoods were disrupted by the pandemic.

David Woodward, Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company, said: “The number of enquiries for support from our charity skyrocketed in 2020 because of the devastating impact of COVID-19. The launch of the Step 2 It campaign couldn’t have come at a more critical time as it’s clear that the economic impact of COVID-19 will be with us for some time to come and we predict that there will be many people who will continue to need support.

“With many of us having led more sedentary lives than normal over the past year, we’re hoping Step 2 It will encourage the trade to get active by organising COVID-compliant events that bring people together and promote the charity’s work while raising funds. What you do to raise the money is up to you. It could be something as simple as a sponsored walk or a company game of rounders – whatever you want. What’s more, thanks to a generous benefactor, every single penny we raise will be match funded, giving you double the reason to Step 2 It and raise money for our charity.”

In addition to urging companies and individuals to organise their own fundraisers, The Furniture Makers’ Company will be hosting various events around the country with support from its regional committees, as well as several fun online challenges, that people can get involved in from May 2021 through to April 2022.

Businesses or individuals wishing to get involved and organise a Step 2 It event are encouraged to go to www.furnituremakers.org.uk/step2it and complete a pledge form to receive a free Step 2 It campaign pack. The pack includes advice, event planning tips and other materials to help companies organise and promote a successful event. Furthermore, Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsorship packages are still available for those that want to sponsor the campaign.

The Master added: “On behalf of The Furniture Makers’ Company, I would like to thank the companies that have already signed up as a Step 2 It sponsor: Axminster Tools (silver), the British Contract Furnishing Association (bronze), the British Furniture Manufacturers Association (bronze), Celtheath (bronze), Lamello (silver), Ocee Design (silver) and Panaz (silver). It’s my hope that in a few months’ time, we will have an incredible calendar of events happening around the country – so, please, Step 2 It and support your industry charity by signing your company up now.”

For more information, go to www.furnituremakers.org.uk/step2it or www.justgiving.com/campaign/step2it.