- Currys has added a new way to donate to charity onto its website, marking next chapter in retailer's mission to help bridge the UK's digital divide.
- Customer donations are expected to double with the launch of online microdonations, building on the success of in-store giving.
Currys customers will be able to make microdonations to charity when they next shop online – in a cutting edge new drive to stamp out digital exclusion.
The UK&I’s leading technology retailer has partnered with Pennies, a UK charity and trusted leader in microdonations, to introduce a new online donation solution, helping customers to donate quickly and easily when they checkout online.
The move drives forward Currys' progress in helping eradicate digital poverty, with online donations expected to at least double the funds currently raised in store, dramatically boosting the impact of customer generosity and accelerating support for families unable to access the digital world when, where and how they need to.
As part of the launch, Currys will match customer microdonations made this weekend, helping to supercharge the initial wave of support and maximise the impact of customer generosity.
Having raised over £800,000 since Pennies launched, until now, customers have only been able to make microdonations via card terminals when paying in store, powered by Currys' long-standing partnership with charity Pennies. With a simple 'yes or no' prompt, shoppers could choose to donate discreetly at checkout. This same functionality is now available online, democratising charitable giving and making it easier than ever for customers to support meaningful causes with every purchase, whether they're buying in a Currys store or from the comfort of their homes.
The new set up allows the website’s over 500k daily visitors to easily add 25p or 50p donations at checkout - seamlessly integrated into the usual shopping journey.
The successful launch of online donations was made possible through close collaboration with several key suppliers, including LTM, an AI-centric global technology services company, who played a vital role in developing the website's donation functionality.
With 1 in 5 children and 1 in 7 adults living in digital poverty in the UK, this new launch will further support Currys in growing its valued partnership with the Digital Poverty Alliance (DPA), working collaboratively to address digital inequality.
Having provided over 3,000 laptops so far through its flagship programme, Tech4Families, Currys and the DPA are both committed to delivering practical, scalable solutions that empower communities and support those most in need. The scheme provides life changing benefits, enabling better access to the digital world, helping children to work effectively on appropriate devices, and building the critical digital skills needed to succeed in a modern, technology led society.
“We know just how life-changing access to technology can be and yet too many families are still shut out of the opportunities it can provide. By taking our donation programme online, we’re making it even easier to donate and moving one step closer to helping end digital exclusion. None of this is possible without the generosity of our customers and we’re excited to see the impact this expansion will deliver.”
Paula Coughlan Chief People, Communications and Sustainability Officer, Currys
"Currys has been a fantastic partner in showing how small digital donations can add up to life-changing impact. By bringing Pennies into the online checkout, we're making it even easier for customers to give wherever they shop. Microdonations may be small, but together they power meaningful change - just 5 hours of microdonations made by Currys customers could help Digital Poverty Alliance pay for a laptop for a family, improving access to essential education, finance and healthcare resources. We're incredibly proud of what we've achieved together so far and excited for the impact this next chapter will deliver." Alison Hutchinson CBE, CEO at Pennies
“As education moves ever more online, children and young people in low-income families are left behind. One in five children is experiencing digital exclusion today, without the laptops they need for homework, coursework and learning. We are so grateful to Currys and Pennies for helping us to reach their customers, whose generosity can help thousands of children every year fulfil their potential and gain the skills they need for their adult lives.” Elizabeth Anderson, CEO, Digital Poverty Alliance
Notes to Editors:
- We'll match up to £2k worth of donations between 6 and 7 June.
- Excludes purchases made with Currys flexpay.
- To find out more about the impact of the Tech4Families scheme, watch this video: Currys Celebrates 2 Million Customer Donations for Digital Poverty with Impactful Video Premier | Currys PLC.
Pennies
Pennies is a charity, and the trusted leader in micro-donations. Since 2010, Pennies has worked with more than 200 brands to enable more than 300 million donations, raising over £75 million for 1,110+ charities.
In an increasingly cashless society, where people still prefer to give little and often, Pennies is ensuring the public still has ways to donate the small amounts that are so vital for charities.
Pennies partners with merchants and payments providers to enable micro-donation opportunities at checkout, helping create huge impact for charities in need. Micro-donations give customers paying by card or digitally a quick, affordable and data-free way to add a small donation to their purchase – in-store, online and in-app.
Pennies’ vision is one day, wherever and whenever people pay by card or digitally, they’ll be given the opportunity to donate a few pence to charity. Making giving simple, every day. Because micro-donations matter.
For more information about Pennies please visit:
- pennies.org.uk
- https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-pennies-foundation/
- https://www.instagram.com/pennies_orguk/
- https://www.facebook.com/Penniesorguk/
- https://twitter.com/pennies_orguk
Digital Poverty Alliance
The Digital Poverty Alliance (DPA) is a registered charity working to end digital poverty across the UK. We bring together government, industry, charities, community organisations and people with lived experience to make digital inclusion a national priority and a practical reality.
Our work focuses on improving access to suitable laptops, tablets, mobile phones and connectivity, while also supporting the skills, confidence and wider conditions people need to take part safely and fully in an increasingly digital society. Through national advocacy, research, partnerships and delivery programmes, the DPA works to ensure that no one is excluded from education, employment, public services or everyday life because they lack the digital access they need.