Oxfam has set up Oxfam Collects, the first permanent workplace charity donation programme, in a bid to raise the income of Oxfam’s shops by £1m. 

The programme aims to generate 10,000 donors through 100 new participant companies in the next 12 months following a stock slump in Oxfam shops. Last year saw a 15 per cent post recession drop in donations to Oxfam but a three per cent rise in shop sales has indicated that corporate donations will bring a financial boost.  

The pilot project has already proved successful with law firm Freshfields, which is on target to raise £15,000 in their first year of the scheme.

James Smethurst of the company said: “Feedback has been positive and staff have appreciated knowing how much money their unwanted items have raised and how Oxfam uses that money to fight poverty.” 

Corporate participation in the gift aid-registered UK-wide initiative is designed to simplify the charity donation process by collecting goods direct from the workplace. Both employees and companies will be able to see how much money they have raised and companies will receive an annual corporate impact report detailing their efforts and explaining where the money could be spent.