Guest blog: Join the UChangeLives Campaign and ‘getupandgive’ this September to make a difference

Author: Gemma Broadhead

As part of our package of member benefits, VONNE’s Gold and Silver Membership+ supporters have the opportunity to submit a guest post for our website. This blog, written by Gold members The PFC Trust, shares with us the launch of their new campaign UChangeLives.

UChangeLives logo

Hartlepool-based charity The PFC Trust has urged everyone to ‘get up and give’ this September after the official launch of a new campaign.

The UChangeLives initiative wants individuals to raise funds to support The PFC Trust’s work in the community.

If you are a sports club, a community group or charitable organisation you can, alternatively, choose to raise funds on a 50/50 split, with 50 per cent going back to help your own group’s fundraising efforts.

It could be a daring sporting challenge, a gin night or even an ice bucket challenge – anything goes and if you need some inspiration, why not take a look at our Fundraising Ideas flyer.

Monies collected by The PFC Trust will be put back into the local community just as it has done on a huge scale since it was founded in 2019 by Frances Connolly.

The #getupandgive challenge this September wants to touch even more lives in Hartlepool and the surrounding Teesside area by asking others to join the fun.

Frances, who has generously helped so many people and causes since winning the EuroMillions four years ago, said: “#getupandgive is not necessarily just about giving money. It could be about giving your expertise, time or whatever it is that you have, and share it."

“We would like to change lives for people, but everything you give, or share, can help somebody else to raise money."

“You can provide support to family and friends, you might want to run an event like a cake sale, a coffee morning or quiz night at home – anything you think will work. Just have your friends round one night and have a raffle!”

The campaign was launched on Saturday with a big country house CEO Sleep-Out which raised more than £25,000 to be shared between the Trust, the North-East STEM Foundation and the CEO Sleep-Out. One group has decided to pay £10 each to enjoy a ‘Come Dine With Me” experience during September. The campaign encourages people to do whatever they think will work to raise money for the PFC Trust and other good causes.

Frances said: “Life is really tough for people at the minute, I know that. Whatever people can do we guarantee that it will go back into helping others in the community."

“There is the 50/50 option. We know sports clubs are finding it hard these days and often rely on funding and grants to operate, so go on … be part of a wider cause, get noticed through UChangeLives’ #getupandgive and you can keep half the money you raise for your own group’s fundraising."

“Hartlepool is a tough area with a small catchment, so giving can be everything for groups."

“To be part of a bigger fundraising event hopefully means they can raise more money. Helping others is also fantastic for mental health."

“Just think, a £10 donation might help someone receive a sleeping bag that could save their life on the street. Just talking to someone might help them too. We want people to support each other – this is what this is all about.”

If you want to support the campaign without taking part in an activity, you can still be involved by texting ‘UCHANGELIVES’ to 70580 to make a one-off donation of £5.00. Every donation goes a long way to support the PFC Trust.

To sign up to join the UChangeLives #getupandgive in September go to www.thepfctrust.org/uchangelives