Many people give to charity during the run-up to Christmas, and indeed, research shows that charitable giving can even make you happier1. We’ve built charitable giving into our business so that every time you buy something from our Little Bunny Bear shop, you are helping someone in need.
More than a shop
When Little Bunny Bear was created, we decided that if it became successful it would also help others. In particular, we believe that no gift or luxury should cost someone else and that’s why we chose to make a difference right down the line, from the materials we use to how things are made, shipped and packaged for you. We also never aim to make more than 30% profit on any item because we believe our customers should pay a fair price too.
We’re in it together
We know that you, our customers are kind and also want to help. That’s why we donate 10% percentage of all our profits to charity which means that every item you buy helps someone less fortunate. And you know what? Every year as I make the Little Bunny Bear donation, I believe that we are doing something meaningful and worthwhile.
Which charities do we support?
By recycling materials sourced from Sue Ryder, Salvation Army and Save the Children, Little Bunny Bear gives to charity on a regular basis. Each Christmas, we also make a one-off donation using the money we set aside from your purchases.
How long could you manage without a food, soap and a safe place to sleep?
I don’t think I could go more than a day. But refugees and asylum seekers are waiting much longer than this for their basic needs to be met.
This year, we have chosen to support the Leeds-based charity, Positive Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (PAFRAS). Little Bunny Bear has chosen PAFRAS because like us, they are small and local. They report that:
“Destitute asylum seekers are one of the most marginalised and excluded groups living in Britain today. Isolated linguistically, culturally and socially, they frequent in a world where rumour and fear over-shadow and often play to great a part in people’s choices”.
The money that we donate to PAFRAS will provide essential supplies for those living in destitution and extreme hardship. For example, every £20 worth of orders received to the shop will buy someone a meal. For every £40 received, we will buy somebody toiletries for a month. An order of £50 or more will generate enough for a hardship payment to help someone attend a vital medical or legal appointment.
You can read more about PAFRAS via this Guardian article which reports directly on their work. If you would like to make a separate, additional donation to PAFRAS you can do so using this link.
Where does your money go?
We aim to be transparent about exactly where your money goes. So here’s a little chart which shows you, for the year 2016-2017, how our income and expenditure was divided on our best selling product: A Little Bunny Bear Organic puddle pad:
- Anik et al, 2009; Feeling Good About Giving: The Benefits (and costs) of Self-Interested Charitable Behaviour. Harvard business School