What is #givingtuesday?

#givingtuesday happens every year at a time when the world and its consumers are greatly focused on spending; whether it is making home improvements, buying the newest model of a television or thinking of loved ones and what they would like for Christmas.

#givingtuesday was first created in response to the mammoth spending weekend that starts with Black Friday and ends with Cyber Monday. #givingtuesday was created to follow this and encourage us to do something good for charity. On this day, the world focuses on supporting charities and the importance of giving.

How have you been involved in #givingtuesday at CAF?

I have helped to organise the Private Client team’s plans this year and in previous years. As a team, we have completed multiple fundraising events on #givingtuesday:

• Dance-a-thon: at least one member of the team had to be dancing at all times. We raised £625 on behalf of Magpie Dance, a contemporary dance charity for people with learning disabilities. Each dance session helps to improve the individual’s communications, confidence and health and well-being, enabling them to have positive social interactions and grow their skills.
• Bake sale: last year we raised £536 by holding a bake sale on behalf of Porchlight, an amazing charity helping and working with homeless people in the South East. Porchlight helps vulnerable and isolated people find support with their mental health, housing, education and employment.

This year, I have been lucky enough to join the #givingtuesday project team at CAF and this has been really insightful, hearing how all the teams at CAF are involved with the preparations for the day – it's something that I am proud to be a part of.

What are you and the Private Client team doing this #givingtuesday?

We are excited to all be doing good stuff for charity on #givingtuesday, and to volunteer our time to charities on the day. Please do follow us on Twitter and Instagram on #givingtuesday to see what we are doing:

• We will be volunteering at St John’s Wood Church Grounds, to maintain and improve a local nature reserve area.
• The Connection at St Martin-in-the-Fields: this charity helps over 4,500 homeless people in London a year. Some of our Senior Management team will be volunteering their time on the day, to give advice on their fundraising services and to help make an impact with their expertise.
• Celebrating philanthropy: our #givingtuesday tour of London will highlight how philanthropy has helped shape buildings, landscapes, monuments and history in our capital city.
• Follow our tour live on #givingtuesday, through our Instagram stories and share our story to spread the word this #givingtuesday.
• Interested to find out where we will be visiting? View our 'celebrating philanthropy' map.