Argos corporate news

Help the Hospices and Argos kick off World Cup celebrations with England wristbands

09 March 2006

Help the Hospices has joined forces with Argos to produce 150,000 fundraising silicon wristbands in support of England’s efforts to attain World Cup glory. The red and white wristbands, which will be sold for a suggested donation of £1, have the words “Come on England” embossed on both sides, and “Support hospice care” on the inside. All proceeds from the sale of the wristbands will go to Help the Hospices, the national charity for the UK hospice movement.

The wristbands will be available in all 510 Argos stores in England as well as some individual hospices in time for St George’s Day on April 23rd. They are also being sent to the England team and other sporting and non-sporting celebrities with a view to starting a trend that drives demand.

As well as placing the wristbands at point of sale locations in all its English stores, Argos has supported the project by contributing to the cost of manufacture. This is one of many initiatives taking place as part of Argos’ and Help the Hospices’ two year partnership, which has raised over £200,000 to date and is on target to raise over £600,000 for the charity by July 2007. Other successful initiatives have included a staff “champion challenge” and “Tick to Give” which enables customers to donate 20p when making a purchase in-store.

Maxine Blunden, corporate fundraising manager at Help the Hospices, commented, “The wristbands are a very simple and fun way for people to show their support for the England lads, and help make a real financial difference to a vitally important charity at the same time.”

Lorna Liggett, Corporate Affairs Manager, added, “Argos is proud to be supporting Help the Hospices and we’re pleased to offer them the benefit of our store network to promote their wrist bands. This initiative enables our staff and customers to show their support for the England team and hospice care.”