BITC calls on Londons businesses to make a difference

Business in the Community (BITC) is calling on companies across London to swap their PCs for paintbrushes and get involved with London Cares Day.

London Cares Day is an initiative that aims to bring together thousands of volunteers across the capitalís workforce on May 19, in order to make a positive impact on young peopleís lives in deprived areas.

Businesses can enter teams of eleven to work on a project they pick from one of the hundreds that have been scoped out by the London Cares team. These projects can be anything from painting, decorating and gardening, to arranging sports events or helping older children with CVs and career advice.

ìLondon is a thriving, vibrant city where business booms and affluent living resides. But it is also home to some of the most deprived boroughs in England and the highest rate of child poverty in the country,î said Julia Cleverdon, BITC. ìWeíre asking Londonís workforce to leave their desks for a day and take part in a fun and rewarding day that benefits the young people of this cityî

ìWe know the many businesses involved also benefit ñ with increased motivation, loyalty and strengthened team work.î

Thereís still time to get involved. Simply go to www.bitc.org.uk/londoncares or call 020 7788 7460 and register a team now. Entries close on April 18th, 2006.

Last yearís London Cares Education Day involved more than 1200 volunteers, which worked on 89 projects across the capital. Business in the Community actively promotes volunteering through the workforce.

London Cares Day is sponsored by Eversheds and British Gas and supported by Metro, ITV London, GREY London, Mayor of London and OCTANE PR.