At Robertson Baxter, we are incredibly proud to be the appointed financial advisers for the Pavers Charitable Foundation. Launched in 2018, the charity supports a broad range of causes relating to health, education and community, and has so far made a grand total of £913,000 in charitable donations. It won’t be long before the organisation reaches its milestone of £1m in charitable giving – a formidable accomplishment in such a short space of time.
But these successes are not the only things that make Pavers Charitable Foundation special. The charity was founded in 2018 with an initial donation of £2.5 million from the family-run footwear business Pavers Shoes and the private estate of the company’s founder, the late Catherine Paver. Its aim was to enable charitable giving by the business and its 1400 employees.
Each employee can submit grant applications for causes close to their heart (provided they relate to health, education or community). The Foundation also supports one national or significant charity per year, which is voted for by employees.
Each year, Pavers Shoes gives 2% of net profit, alongside the total profits from the sale of carrier bags in stores, to ensure the Pavers Foundation can continue to make effective and positive changes in local communities and beyond.
Pavers Shoes – 50th Anniversary and Charity of the Year
Pavers Shoes is also a valued client of Robertson Baxter. Founded in 1971, it remains family owned and run today, and celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2021. Stuart Paver, Catherine’s Son, is Joint Managing Director of the business together with his son Jason. Stuart’s brothers, Graham and Ian are now retired from the business but still play an active role in The Pavers Foundation.
The 2021 charity of the year initiative, which is part of the Foundation’s activities, involved colleagues in head office and across the Pavers, Jones Bootmaker and Herring shoe stores voting for their favourite charity from a shortlist of four. The winner was an innovative mental health support service called Shout 85258, which provides the only free, 24/7 text messaging service for anyone in the UK and Ireland who needs support. Shout can help with issues including depression, anxiety, abuse, panic attacks, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, relationship problems and bullying.
Speaking about the donation, Victoria Hornby, CEO of Mental Health Innovations, the charity which powers Shout said:
“We are absolutely delighted to be partnered with the Pavers Foundation and are so grateful for their support. The funds they donate will go towards training Shout Volunteers who will be able to support thousands more people who are struggling to cope with their mental health. News of Shout first travelled to the British shoe company through our amazing volunteer community and we’re proud to join leading charities including Mind, Macmillan Cancer Support and Dementia UK who have all previously been awarded the Pavers Foundation Charity of the Years status.”
Wishing to show support to its three runner-up charities, the Foundation also donated £2,500 each to Shelter, Children with Cancer and The Brain Tumour Charity.
Mark Granger, Chairman, Pavers Foundation commented: “We are delighted to be able to support the incredible work Shout does in making a difference to so many people. I think it is poignant that at such a difficult time for mental health across the globe, our colleagues have chosen this charity to support.”
To read more about the work of the Pavers Foundation, visit: https://www.paversfoundation.co.uk/category/news/
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