The Wakefield Annual Charity Christmas Lunch (WACCL) has announced a significant partnership with Prosper, an independent grant-making organisation, to enhance its fundraising efforts for children’s charities and not-for-profits across the district. This new collaboration aims to redirect more funds to support children from Wakefield’s towns and villages, providing vital services and interventions where they are most needed.
The strategic partnership will see Prosper contribute £30,000 in match-funding to WACCL’s efforts. For every penny raised through the WACCL initiative, Prosper will match the amount, effectively doubling the total donations. This will enable more beneficiaries to access essential funding, allowing them to continue offering services that significantly impact young people’s lives.
Deprivation figures show that 24% of children in the Wakefield district live in poverty, highlighting the critical need for charitable support. The joint initiative between WACCL and Prosper is expected to provide much-needed resources to organisations working directly with children in deprived areas.
Clare Thornton, Chair of the WACCL committee, commented on the new partnership:
“Although we have a lot of fun raising money and organising WACCL each year, there’s a very serious side to what we do. There’s an urgent need for funds to ensure that the charities and not-for-profits we support can continue delivering their incredible services and interventions.
“Thanks to our partnership with Prosper, we can now provide more money to the organisations that need it the most. This will allow us to expand our efforts and make a bigger difference, which is ultimately what it’s all about for us.”
Kath Lindley, Chief Executive Officer at Prosper Wakefield District, expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration:
“Prosper is excited to be part of this fantastic and fun event, which raises so much money for deserving children’s charities across the district. We are committed to matching every donation made at the WACCL event, which will effectively double the funds raised. This partnership brings even more opportunities for the children in our area, and we’re proud to support such an important cause. Supporting children and young people is one of our top priorities, so partnering with WACCL is a natural fit for us.”
The first event under this new partnership will be the Wakefield Annual Charity Christmas Lunch (WACCL), scheduled for Thursday 12 December. For the first time, the event will be held at Wakefield Trinity, offering attendees a new venue and menu for the occasion. The festive gathering will welcome over 300 guests and feature a complimentary glass of fizz, a three-course lunch, and entertainment, including games, a raffle, and an auction.
Tickets for the event are priced at £65 per person or £600 for a table of 10. All proceeds will be matched by Prosper, amplifying the impact on the local charities that rely on these crucial funds to continue their work.
This new partnership is expected to provide a much-needed boost to children’s charities across Wakefield, ensuring that more young people receive the support they deserve.