Everton in the Community is getting a helping hand from a leading Merseyside company to reshape its fundraising methods as the charity works to overcome the new fundraising challenges that have arisen as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and ongoing social distancing.

Digital experts from Appreciate Group - one of the UK's leading gifting, pre-payment and engagement companies - are putting their skills to good use by helping the official charity of Everton Football Club explore new online and digital ways to raise vital funding at a time when many of its traditional methods have been halted and the fundraising landscape has changed so significantly

The initiative strengthens the relationship between the two organisations which began last year when Appreciate Group donated 150 festive hampers to support Everton in the Community’s work to help people experiencing social isolation or homelessness.

Appreciate Group also supported the charity’s Blue Family campaign with the donation of toys which were distributed to community hubs across the city as well as being donated to local low-income families.

Lesley Beattie, Director of Development at Everton in the Community, said: “Appreciate Group is fast becoming one of our most important partners in our work to help those less fortunate across our local community.

“We thank them for this support and look forward to developing our relationship further. It’s pleasing to see an organisation that is so committed to supporting the people of Merseyside along with the work we are doing at Everton in the Community.

Gill Taylor, Chief Transformation Officer at Appreciate Group said: “We’re delighted to partner with Everton in the Community and support the important work they do to make a positive difference in so many peoples’ lives throughout our region.

“As an organisation, we share many of their values. We’ve been based in Merseyside for over 50 years and we’re determined to help change our local community for the better.”

The two organisations are now exploring ways to work together to future-proof education to encourage homegrown talent in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) for local businesses and help to encourage social mobility by providing pathways into work for young disadvantaged people.

The partnership will also provide colleagues from Appreciate Group with the opportunity to volunteer with Everton in the Community and see first-hand the work that the charity does across Merseyside in supporting those in need.