As the festive season unfolds, we're reminded of the true spirit of giving: making a meaningful impact on the lives of others. This year, we turned Black Friday on its head with our Give Back Friday Campaign, donating £500 each to three incredible charities based on nominations from our community.
Our mission is simple: spread the joy of giving and inspire people to experience the benefits of giving back. Here's a look at the incredible charities we supported and the stories that inspired us.
The Give Back Friday Campaign
In 2023, UK consumers spent over £13.3 billion during the Black Friday period, highlighting the season's commercial focus. At Zen, we wanted to flip the script and focus on giving back to the causes that matter most.
We invited our community to nominate their favourite charities, asking them to share why these organisations were close to their hearts. After careful consideration of nominations, we were delighted to donate £500 each to:
Great Ormond Street Hospital
With over 76,000 children receiving care annually, GOSH is one of the world's top children's hospitals. Their impact really is immeasurable, with its life-saving surgeries and pioneering research.
Nominated multiple times, individuals shared personal stories of how GOSH saved lives, provided unwavering support, and gave hope during the most challenging times. GOSH funds in-hospital play teams, music therapy, art and entertainment programmes, family support, free home-from-home accommodation near the hospital, and a multifaith chaplaincy service.
Great Ormond Street Hospital aims to go above and beyond for seriously ill children., enabling kinder and better treatments, bringing hope for children with the rarest and most complex illnesses and making the hospital a little bit easier and a lot more fun for the thousands of children who are treated every year.
PIPS Suicide Prevention
One of our team members personally nominated PIPS Suicide Prevention, making this a particularly heartfelt choice for our Give Back Friday campaign. Since its foundation, PIPS has been a beacon of hope, working hard to combat the high levels of suicide across communities in Ireland.
PIPS provides crucial support to individuals and families affected by suicide or self-harm. Their comprehensive services include suicide prevention and bereavement support, one-to-one counselling, befriending services, advocacy, and complementary therapies.
What sets PIPS apart is their ‘no appointment needed’ service, so it's a true lifeline for individuals who may feel vulnerable, at risk of suicidal behaviours or in need of someone to talk to. This open-door approach ensures that no one feels alone, no matter how challenging their circumstances.
Tommy's
In the UK, it is estimated that around 1 in 4 pregnancies end in loss during pregnancy or birth every year, and 53,000 babies are born prematurely.
As the UK's largest charity researching the causes of miscarriage, stillbirth, and premature birth, Tommy's provides vital support to families navigating loss. Their groundbreaking research and commitment to saving babies' lives are extraordinary.
In the last year, they have invested over £2m in medical, psychological and health service research – directly contributing to many improvements in treatments and care for pregnant women nationwide.
Why Giving Back Matters to Zen
At Zen, giving back isn't just a seasonal gesture. Giving is ingrained in our ethos. Our fundraisers are on the streets daily, connecting people to the causes they care about. Give Back Friday was our way of extending that mission, celebrating the power of generosity and the impact it can create.
We hope these donations further support the three charities' incredible work.
What's Next?
As 2025 approaches, we're already looking ahead to new ways of making a difference. But for now, we're proud to have partnered with our community to support three life-changing organisations.
To Great Ormond Street Hospital, PIPS, and Tommy's: thank you for your incredible work.
All of us at #TeamZen wish you a festive season filled with hope, joy and the true spirit of giving.
If you want to make your mission part of ours in 2025, contact us with your campaign details, and we will show you how we do things the Zen way.
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