Wales’ first contactless technology to help raise money for homelessness in Cardiff has been extended for an additional week due to its popularity. Residents and visitors to Cardiff will be able to continue to make donations at the pay wall on the Hayes until Tuesday 3 April.
Funded through FOR Cardiff, the interactive screen, which features Cardiff Blues’ Sam Warburton OBE, has been on the Hayes since March 12. Since then, hundreds have tapped their contactless cards to donate a fixed fee of £2 towards a fund providing small grants for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Every £2 donated by contactless payment is being matched funded by Four Acre Trust doubling the difference.
Donations are managed by the Community Foundation in Wales, and the grants distributed through the city’s frontline services.
Adrian Field, Executive Director, FOR Cardiff, the business improvement district for the city, said: “The response to the contactless technology has been overwhelmingly positive and people have been impressed with the innovative approach. The aim of Give DIFFerently is to give people another option when giving to the homeless, especially to those like myself who, more often than not, don’t carry cash.
“Our hope with giving people extra time to donate is that we can help even more people in need in the city. If you haven’t already donated, then please pop down and card it for Cardiff.”
Leading Out of Home media owner Clear Channel has worked with FOR Cardiff to deliver the innovative campaign.
Louise Stubbings, Creative Director, Clear Channel UK, said: “We are proud to have helped bring this important campaign to life and encourage people to give to charity via contactless technology. It’s great to see how much the people of Cardiff have embraced it and the success of Give DIFFerently to date really highlights the ability of Out of Home advertising to be used as a force for good in the community.”
A partnership between FOR Cardiff, The Big Issue Cymru, Cardiff Council, Community Foundation in Wales, Huggard, the Salvation Army, South Wales Police, The Wallich and Public Health Wales, Give DIFFerently shines a light on the wealth of services provided to help combat rough sleeping across the city, as well as fundraising to provide grants for individuals at risk.
Applications for the Give DIFFerently fund are open to voluntary and third sector organisations who can apply for grants from £250 – £750 on behalf of the people they support.
Ten per cent of the fund is ring-fenced for organisations working with those at risk of Adverse Childhood Experiences to prevent the next generation from becoming homeless or having to resort to street-based activities such as begging.
The contactless technology is in place until Tuesday 3 April, following which people can donate at any time by texting DIFF20 followed by the amount you want to donate to 70070.
For more information, visit www.givedifferently.wales or follow @GiveDIFFerently