In its twelfth year of partnership with BBC Children in Need, Boots UK customers and colleagues have raised £950,000 in important funds since last year’s appeal, which will help make a positive difference to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people right across the UK.

BBC Children in Need currently supports 2,500 projects across the UK, that are working with children facing a range of disadvantages for example, poverty and deprivation; children who have been the victims of abuse or neglect or disabled young people. Making a difference and changing the lives of young children is very important to Boots UK, which shares this vision with BBC Children in Need, working together to help these children reach their full potential.

Simon Roberts, Executive Vice President of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. and President of Boots, comments: “Every year, our amazing colleagues and customers all over the country do incredible things for BBC Children in Need, and their continued passion for this wonderful cause never fails to impress me. But it’s because they care; they care about changing lives and helping young people to achieve their full potential. We often think of the Appeal day as the highlight of our year – when our 2,500 local community shops are a centre for fun, community and fundraising. All year round though, we are working to create closer relationships with our local projects across the UK, providing our support – be it volunteering our time, our pharmacists offering healthcare advice, mentoring, spending time reading with children, setting up work experience opportunities, painting fences, making tea, or fundraising.  By building stronger links in the communities that we serve every day, we know that we can really make a difference.”

One of the projects currently being supported by BBC Children in Need is Belong, a charity based in Nottingham, which has been supported by BBC Children in Need since 2007. It works to give young refugees living in disadvantaged inner city areas opportunities, encouraging better social inclusion in a multi-cultural society.

Judith Kobutungi, Chairperson of Belong, comments: “Companies put in so much to support BBC Children in Need, particularly around the Appeal day. We see so many young and vulnerable children here at Belong and know first-hand why the funds raised are so important. Ultimately, it’s about being given the chance to make more of a positive impact on more children’s lives.”

Carrie Green, Head of Commercial at BBC Children in Need said: “This is a fantastic donation and we’d like to thank all Boots UK customers and colleagues who have helped raise this huge amount.

“Our partnership with Boots UK has been going from strength to strength and this year’s total of £950,000 is a credit to the hard work of its staff and generosity of its customers. This money will help us make a difference to many young lives right here in the UK.”

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