Work Avenue raises over £1million in 36 hours

A leading community employment charity has raised in excess of £1,000,000 in just 36 hours to help members of the community earn a living with dignity.

Work Avenue launched the campaign on Sunday morning, reaching their £750,000 target by 6pm on Monday, four hours before the end of the campaign.

Donations were triple-matched by a group of donors, who gave £3 for every pound pledged, and another group of donors double-matched donations.

Volunteers collected over 2,200 individual donations at a call centre set up in Work Avenue’s shared offices in Finchley. “It has been amazing being a part of this campaign,” said volunteer Benny Wagner, CEO of Risk Reports.

“The atmosphere was incredible with so many people hitting the phones and reaching out to their contacts.  I was so humbled by the generosity of my network,” he added.

Work Avenue CEO Debbie Sheldon, said crowdfunding had been the “perfect vehicle” to engage the community and raise money.

“We were completely staggered and delighted to raise so much money and are so grateful for the overwhelming generosity of the community,” she said. “We help over 2,000 people every year earn a living with dignity.  These badly needed funds will allow us to help so many more.”

The Finchley-based charity helps people get into or back into work, find placements, access workplace training, provides advice and supports businesses. It runs the community’s first employment and business Hub, comprising meeting rooms, shared work-space, training rooms and a cafe.