BUSINESSES are joining forces to turn Christmas cheer into a boost for charity.

Eleven firms have agreed to donate cash to a charitable trust to fund a local project instead of sending Christmas cards.

The idea came from Richard Morgan, managing director of Thame engineering firm ICE, who donated £200 to Didcot Toy Library last year instead of sending cards to contacts.

He said: "I believe firms invest a lot in buying, writing and sending company Christmas cards each year and often they are not read, or even welcomed. It occurred to me that like-minded businesses might want to club together to fund complete projects."

With the help of Business Link Heart of England, NatWest and Grant Thornton the scheme is now well under way with ten other companies already signed up to the idea.

Mr Morgan said: "Donations can be anything from £50 to £5,000. An account has been opened and we have four trustees to oversee it. Then we will be looking for a suggestion of a project close to home to help.

"As well as being a real benefit to someone, the idea will also allow networking between members. I am already looking into using the services of two companies that have signed up.

"I am suggesting to firms that sign up that they e-mail the people they usually send Christmas cards to with a message explaining what they are doing and listing the firms that are participating."

Companies already taking part are Armstrong Recruitment, Business Link Heart of England, Capital Conferences, Duncombe commercial solicitors, Facilities Management Supplies, Grant Thornton, ICE, Lynx Offset, NatWest Bank, Aylesbury, PDX Logistics and Planet Communications Group.

Anyone interested in joining should contact Richard Morgan, at ICE, on 01844 217474 or mobile 0410 399 137.

Story date: Monday 22 November

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.