Supporting a well- known charity with promotional merchandise

Background
A leading UK charity with a history spanning over 70 years, the charity has been at the forefront of supporting patients and helping them live as fully and comfortably as possible during their final stages of life. As a charity that relies on donations and fundraising to provide these critical services, their marketing and fundraising efforts often involve the use of branded promotional merchandise.

For 15 years we have supported the charity by providing a wide range of promotional merchandise designed to raise awareness, encourage donations, and engage supporters in their mission. This long-standing partnership was pivotal in enhancing the charity’s visibility and expanding their fundraising reach across the UK.

Challenge
The charity faced the challenge of developing cost-effective, impactful promotional merchandise to support its fundraising and awareness efforts.

The charity needed to:

• Maintain a constant flow of branded items that appealed to various demographics, including individual supporters, corporate partners, and event participants.
• Ensure all products were aligned with the charity’s values, reflecting its commitment to quality care, dignity, and compassion.
• Keep up with shifting market trends and sustainability demands, transitioning towards more eco-friendly options.
• Provide a variety of items for different fundraising events, seasonal campaigns, and volunteer appreciation, all while sticking to a defined budget.

Solution
We became a trusted partner for the charity, supplying a diverse range of promotional merchandise from badges, bags and mugs to branded t-shirts and hoodies, that not only supported their fundraising efforts but also enhanced their brand visibility. Throughout the partnership, we maintained flexibility, staying responsive to their evolving needs, ensuring that all products aligned with their mission and ethical standards.

Key solutions included:

1. Fundraising Event Merchandise
   The charity regularly held charity runs, marathons, and walks, and we supported these events with high-quality branded merchandise:
   • Custom Apparel: We provided T-shirts, hoodies, and sportswear designed for charity events. Each item prominently featured the charity logo and slogan, serving as a walking advertisement for the charity and fostering a sense of unity among participants.
   • Event-Specific Products: For fundraising events, we created items like branded wristbands, lapel pins, and badges, all designed to encourage engagement and participation. These items were affordable yet highly visible, helping participants demonstrate their support for the charity cause.
2. Corporate Partnership Merchandise
   The charity worked with numerous corporate partners over the years, and we supported these collaborations by supplying co-branded merchandise that helped raise awareness of the charity’s work:
   • Branded Gifts: For corporate events and conferences, we produced a range of branded gifts, including high-quality pens, notebooks, tote bags, and calendars. These items were often distributed to employees and stakeholders of corporate partners, increasing the charity’s visibility and promoting goodwill within the business community.
   • Custom Corporate Merchandise: We created bespoke merchandise tailored for corporate donors or sponsors, allowing them to showcase their partnership with the charity through branded gifts and promotional items.
3. Volunteer & Supporter Recognition
   A key part of the charity’s success is its network of dedicated volunteers and supporters that required branded apparel:
   • Branded Apparel: Charity volunteers often wore branded clothing during fundraising events. We provided high-quality, durable items such as branded T-shirts that volunteers could wear proudly while participating in activities, creating a visible presence for the charity.

Implementation
Our partnership with this charity over 15 years was built on trust, collaboration, and attention to detail. We provided consistent support throughout each stage of product development and distribution, from sourcing and design to delivery:

• Design Process: Our design team worked closely with the charity marketing and fundraising teams to ensure that each product communicated the charity’s core values of compassion and dignity. Each item was designed to have visual impact while also being practical for supporters and participants.
• Sourcing & Sustainability: We made sure to source merchandise from suppliers who shared the charity’s commitment to ethical practices. From eco-friendly materials to fair-trade-certified production, we worked together to ensure the charity’s environmental and ethical standards were upheld.
• Logistics & Delivery: With the charity’s multiple campaigns and events running year-round, we ensured timely delivery of products for various campaigns. We worked with their team to ensure that merchandise was ready for distribution well in advance of key fundraising events and awareness initiatives.

Results
Our 15-year partnership with the charity resulted in the following key outcomes:

1. Increased Donations and Fundraising: The promotional merchandise helped raise significant funds through event sales, online stores, and auctions. Items like T-shirts, tote bags, and limited-edition products were popular with supporters and helped drive contributions to the charity’s services.
2. Stronger Brand Recognition: Over the years, the charity’s visibility grew through the distribution of branded merchandise at events, in stores, and through corporate partners. The items served as continuous reminders of the charity’s mission and helped build long-term engagement with supporters.
3. Volunteer & Supporter Engagement: Branded gifts and apparel helped engage volunteers and supporters, allowing them to feel part of a larger movement. This recognition helped foster loyalty and encouraged ongoing participation in fundraising events and campaigns.

Conclusion
We played a vital role in helping the charity expand its fundraising efforts and raise awareness through high-quality, branded promotional merchandise. By consistently delivering impactful and ethically sourced products, we supported the charity in achieving its mission of providing exceptional care to those in need. Our long-term partnership exemplifies how promotional merchandise can drive both financial support and emotional engagement, helping the charity to continue providing vital services for those facing terminal illness.