How you can Support a Charity Close to your Heart

There are thousands of amazing worthwhile charities across Northern Ireland, many of which we will have interacted with / required their services at some point during our lifetime. Whilst these charities all come in a variety of shapes and sizes, one common theme is how they rely on the support of the public to help continue their work. The USPCA receives no government funding and is supported solely by voluntary donations from the public – we are very proud of our strong supporter base which has grown over the years and helped us treat thousands of animals in need here in Northern Ireland.

Unfortunately, the fundraising support for charities was heavily affected by the covid-19 pandemic and restrictions, with limitations placed on fundraising events / street collections etc. Even now, 18 months on, the industry is still feeling the lasting effects of the pandemic. If you want to give back to a charity you have a personal connection with during this challenging time, there are lots of ways to get involved – check out some of our tips below!

Embrace Charity Ran Events

All charities will have a calendar of flagship/small events taking place throughout the year and these are a great opportunity to join in on a community event and meet like-minded supporters! Whilst these have been impacted by Covid-19, it is encouraging to see that these are gradually returning or else have taken a virtual twist to encourage participation. The team here at the USPCA are so pleased to see the return of our charity cycle ‘Pedal for Paws’ on 23rd of October 2021 which involves a 20-mile cycle from Newry to Scarva and back, following the canal towpath. If this sounds like something you might like to get involved with, make sure to visit our website here. It’s always worth keeping an eye on different charities’ websites and social media pages for any exciting upcoming events.

Donate or Become a Member

Donations of all sizes are always an amazing way to help a charity. Many charities will have the option for you to set up monthly or annual donations and they may also hold regular street collections in towns across Northern Ireland. Over the years the USPCA has been overwhelmed by the support of the public, especially those who have chosen to leave a gift in their Will. These donations have been a lasting legacy of our supporters love for animals and have helped us achieve some fantastic milestones. Supporting our Charity Store and Pet Supplies Shop is also a great way to offer a helping hand as all purchases directly fund our charitable services.

Donations may not always be monetary either, depending on the nature of the charity, these could be donations of objects, materials to help them carry out their work, or supplies for events etc. For the USPCA we always appreciate donations to our Charity Store based in Banbridge and can arrange collection of larger goods if required. At our Centre in Newry, donations of bedding, newspapers and food for the animals also go such a long way.

Memberships may not be offered by every charity, depending on the nature of their work, but these are a great way to offer monetary support whilst becoming part of a community. To carry out our work here at the USPCA, particularly with our campaigning, we rely on a large membership base to help empower our work and strengthen the voice for animals. Through membership of the USPCA, you join a network of animal lovers who share our same values and passion for animal welfare. If interested in becoming a member, please visit here.

Volunteer Your Time

Sparing an hour or two of your time once a week is a brilliant way to lend your support to a charity. Very often charities are running on limited resources and having the support of the public is invaluable and broadens the level of work they are able to achieve. Gifting your time can make a huge and lasting difference for any charity. At the USPCA we are delighted to have a loyal volunteering team who help with many aspects of our work, be that volunteering at our Charity Store, helping out our animal care team, or offering assistance to our grooming stylists in our Grooming Room. Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 pandemic we have had to limit our intake of volunteers however in the not-so-distant future we will have an exciting announcement and new roles available.

Hold a Fundraiser

If you have a great idea and would rather hold your own fundraiser, then don’t hold back! Solo fundraisers, or smaller events with friends and family are always welcomed and fundraising can be carried out easily either in person or through online channels such as Facebook, Instagram or JustGiving. These channels have been vitally important in the past year and a half as we haven’t been able to meet as many of our friends and family in person. Facebook also offers a great opportunity for you to host a birthday fundraiser, encouraging your friends to support a worthwhile cause as a birthday gift.

Shop and Support at the same time!

Did you know that while you shop online you can also support a charity of your choice? Amazon Smile is an amazing initiative which means that Amazon will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to your selected charity. This is at no extra cost to you and easy way to support a charity. If you would like to support the USPCA while you shop online, simply click here - you can then bookmark it for handy reference in the future! This can also be set up for the Amazon App on your phone:

• Open the Amazon app on your phone
• Select the main menu & tap on "AmazonSmile" within Programmes & Features
• Select Ulster Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals (USPCA) as your charity
• Follow the on-screen instructions to activate AmazonSmile in the mobile app

If you would like to lend your support to the USPCA and need further advice on fundraising, please contactcontact headoffice@uspca.co.uk today!

We Hope You Will Consider Making the USPCA Part of Your Journey!