Community Work
Children's charities remain the focus of the Richard Desmond Charitable Trust (RDCT)
Charitable giving lies at the heart of Northern & Shell. As a responsible business we are constantly on the lookout for opportunities to support a diverse range of good causes in every possible way. As our Network has grown, so has our commitment to working in the community.
Each year hundreds of charities are on the receiving end of help from Northern & Shell - some £10million has been dispensed over the past two years. Recent donations included a one-off payment worth £1million to contribute to humanitarian aid in Africa, the raising of £4million through the RD Crusaders Supergroup for Teenage Cancer Trust, Norwood, the Evelina Children's Hospital and Camp Simcha (SP), and £2.5million to fund the Richard Desmond Children's Eye Centre at Moorfield's Eye Hospital in London. N&S Chairman Richard Desmond takes a personal and active interest in every charity supported, however small it may be. Richard's role has been recognised by appointments to many charities, the latest being the Presidency of Norwood. To deal with the scale of giving, the Richard Desmond Charitable Trust (RDCT) processes requests and assesses where funds should best be made available.
The aim of the RDCT is to use donations in a focused and informed way to realize the greatest possible benefit to recipients. Its strategy is to allocate funds to a large number of smaller charities so that the money goes straight to the people who need it.
Laying the foundations for the Richard
Desmond Children's Eye Centre with
Lady Jacomb, chair of the appeal, and
the clinical director Prof Tony Moor.
Each year more than 1,000 letters requesting support are received and the Trustees, who have been appointed by Richard Desmond, meet monthly to carefully review the applications.
In recent years the Trust has focused its awards on children and young people's charities in the UK and has contributed extensively to further the wellbeing of disadvantaged sections of society. However larger charities have also benefited extensively with donations to schools, hospitals, old people's homes, carer organisations, hospices and a wide range of medical support groups.
Children's charities remain the focus of the RDCT but consideration is given by the Trustees to worthy causes outside this area, so long as the funds awarded can make a difference.