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We’re leading in the fight against poverty

On 4th October, 25 organisations come together at the Crowne Plaza in Plymouth for a night of pure entertainment – quizzing, a silent auction and a raffle. They were all supporting a cause which has them truly engaged.

Plymouth Children in Poverty (PCiP), a campaign started by PwC in Plymouth is all about eradicating poverty in the city. A massive ask, especially when you consider there are currently 11,000 children living in poverty in the city. The Tale of Two Cities publication published some years ago concluded that a child’s life outcomes were wholly predictable depending on the ward they were born into.  Today, some wards continue to experience children in poverty levels in excess of 35%.  This cannot be right.

We decided enough was enough and a team of us decided to take action – PCiP was born. On 23 March, over 50 corporate businesses, public sector agencies and charities came together for a child poverty awareness event. Going forward, we see PCiP as a club, with no joining fee or annual subscription, a club of like-minded organisations working under the PCiP banner to make a difference to the children in our city living in poverty.

Plymouth is thriving and has developed huge ambition as it approaches the Mayflower 2020 celebrations – the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrim Fathers setting sail for the US. It is this ambition that has seen the largest group of Grade I and II listed buildings in Europe, being converted into flats, restaurants and bars, The Royal William Yard. Many in the city often drive to this area to enjoy a night out with friends or lunch with family but, it is easy to forget that this development is in one of the most deprived areas of the city. Of course, it is easy to say that developments such as this bring money and employment to the area, but does it really? Has this development helped the children living next door or just further knocked their aspirations in highlighting something else that they cannot attain?

The challenge we have taken on seems unsurmountable at times and it would be but for power of the PwC brand. We identified a fantastic opportunity to bring together the business community and really make a difference. We often underestimate the power of the PwC network and our ability to get a message across to so many people who listen to what we have to say.

Change won’t happen overnight but there is a real energy and passion building around this campaign in Plymouth. Under the PCiP campaign, along with our partners, we will design and fund long-term, high impact projects that will gradually bring about improvement.

The quiz was the next milestone in the journey and, it was so fantastic to see 25 organisations at the inaugural event held to raise funds in aid of PCiP. The evening raised over £9,400 which will be used to help fund projects in the city. After ten challenging rounds, the winners were Barclays Bank. Over £1,000 was raised in the raffle alone and Barclays Bank have agreed to match fund this amount, which is a great gesture and deserves a big thank you.

Overall it was a fun, positive and rewarding evening and everyone there has been eager to tell us what a good time they had. We look forward to seeing them all again next year.

It isn’t about giving a hand out, it is about giving a hand up. Together, we really can make a difference.

If you are interested in getting involved with PCiP or have any ideas, please contact Stephen Patey.

We’re leading in the fight against poverty Image
We’re leading in the fight against poverty Image