O2 to give 100% of text donations to charity

28 July 2010

Texting on a mobile phoneMobile network operator O2 has announced plans to begin passing on 100 per cent of text donations to charity.

From 1 August, all charities registered in the UK will receive customers' full donations via a five-digit shortcode beginning with 70.

The company previously held back 10p in every pound to cover network and third party costs.

Simon Davis, Head of Corporate Responsibility at O2, said charitable organisations need all the support they can during the economic downturn: "It's essential that we help charities gain as much income as they can."

Fiona Blacke of youth charity National Youth Agency commented: "We're delighted O2 has taken this initiative. It will make a huge difference to charities, many of whom depend on donations for their existence."

O2 was the first UK network operator to begin giving 90p of each pound donated to destination charities in November 2009.

In February this year, Vodafone followed suit, also passing the VAT on every donation to charity.

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