Lord Mayor of London urges businesses to strengthen charities’ infrastructure

At an event held by City Action, Fiona Woolf said companies should become more involved with supporting community organisations.Fiona Woolf, the Lord Mayor of London, has called on businesses to do more to help strengthen charities’ infrastructure.

Speaking at an event organised by the corporate volunteering brokerage service City Action in London yesterday, Woolf said firms should become more involved with supporting community organisations rather than just “dipping in and out”.

Woolf said that businesses must “immerse themselves in a community organisation, helping it to grow from the roots up”.

“This means leaving nothing out when it comes to offering assistance and guidance, and constantly seeking new ways of doing this,” she said. “Firms need to use their energy, imagination and talent to get involved in the ways which add the most value.”

She also spoke about the inaugural City’s Giving Day, which will take place on 11 July and has a target of raising £350,000 for four charities – roughly the equivalent of £1 for every person who works in the City, said Woolf.

Events during the day will include collections at tube stations in the City, a fashion show and a cupcake competition.

Funds raised will be split between Beating Bowel Cancer, Princess Alice Hospice, the development charity Raleigh International and Working Chance, which helps female ex-offenders find work.