Montezuma’s Chichester store fundraising for Children on the Edge

Montezuma’s Chichester store is partnering with Children on the Edge to help build 28 classrooms for refugee children to learn, play and heal.
Fundraising in ChichesterFundraising in Chichester
Fundraising in Chichester

The Chichester-based charity supports more than 15,000 of the world’s most marginalised children to realise their rights through the provision of education and the creation of protective environments.

Montezuma’s Chichester store alone aims to raise a sum of £2,500, 12.5 per cent of Montezuma’s overall target.

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Over the past ten years Montezuma’s has raised over £100,000 for Children on the Edge through their ‘bags for cash scheme’ where store customers were asked to donate an amount in cash for every carrier bag they used when making a purchase, as well as holding charity fundraising weeks during half-term.

In their latest round of fundraising activities, Montezuma’s are aiming to raise £40,000 by May 2021 for Children on the Edge, which will go towards building new learning centres for children in Kyaka II refugee settlement in Uganda for young refugee children under the age of 5.

Debbie Epstein, marketing director at Montezuma’s, said: “The learning centres will be safe spaces where children can learn, play and recover from trauma, helping to bring hope, life, colour and fun to children living on the edge.

“In line with Montezuma’s sustainable approach, the buildings are designed to be different, using an economical, climate-friendly alternative to avoid the extensive deforestation that traditional building methods have caused in other refugee camps. The carbon-saving bricks being used are made from compressed soil on site, to preserve rather than damage the beautiful Ugandan landscape.

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Refugees in their communities will receive teacher training so they can create safe, colourful and fun spaces. All of the colourful learning equipment used is handmade by the teachers from locally sourced or recycled materials.

“Children on the Edge will be using the funds raised by Montezuma’s to build 28 classrooms by Spring 2022. Each learning centre will cost around £7,000 to build and will consist of two classrooms, made with approximately 3,500 bricks.”

Debbie added: “We are so proud to be able to help such a fantastic charity and are continually amazed at the generosity of our customers. When we learnt about the work Children on the Edge did 10 years ago, we immediately connected and have been supporting them in as many ways as possible since then. We are particularly excited about our latest fundraising project, where we will be helping to support Children on the Edge to build safe spaces for children to learn and play.”

Eloise Armstrong, fundraising manager at Children on the Edge, added: “Over the last ten years Montezuma’s customers have donated over £100,000 of spare change in their local stores, which has had an incredible impact on the lives of marginalised refugee children impacted by war and violence. It has helped Children on the Edge to create safe places for hundreds of Syrian refugee children in Lebanon and thousands of Rohingya refugee children in Bangladesh. Every penny has meant that forgotten children have been able to learn, play and recover from trauma, in the care of trusted adults from their own communities. We are so delighted that with Montezuma’s support we can begin building more safe spaces in Uganda for children fleeing war in the Democratic Republic of Congo.”

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The money for the project will be raised by Montezuma’s through the Pennies micro-donation technology at till point, with every £2 donated helping to educate a child in a safe space for a week. Montezuma’s customers will be given the option to donate 25p when they pay via chip and pin in a Montezuma’s store. Customers can also donate online via a simple opt in and add to basket at the checkout.

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