Barclaycard and their customers give £380,000 to good causes with their Charity Credit Card

Barclaycard's donations were distributed equally among: Save the Children, Marie Curie Cancer Care, The Samaritans and The Woodland Trust.
Adrian Scott, Head of Open Market Direct Sales, came up with the idea of a Charity Card in early 2004. “Barclaycard employees already give to the community in which they live and work. Most find the experience very rewarding and the results are fantastic. However, we felt we could do more and I believe that people like to help other people. Knowing that you will be helping a charity when you use your credit card (http://www.barclaycard.co.uk ) makes people feel that they are doing something, no matter how big or small the amount may be, rather than nothing to help those less fortunate than themselves.” Barclaycard launched their Charity Card in September 2004 and it became so popular that Barclaycard decided to feature it on the homepage of their website.

Barclaycard - Inspiring dramatic change for children
A spokesperson for Save the Children said, “The funds raised through the Barclaycard Charity Card (http://www.barclaycard.co.uk/products/apply/charity.html?previous_page_id=34&link_type=BDY ) have significantly contributed to enabling Save the Children to deliver immediate and lasting improvement to children's lives world-wide.

We believe that all children have a right to healthcare and a quality basic education, that they should be protected from abuse and exploitation and that they have a right to grow up free from hunger. Barclays is a long-standing supporter of Save the Children's work. We are very grateful that the funds raised by the Barclaycard Charity Card can be spent where the need is greatest, to ensure that the most vulnerable children get the chance to experience happier, healthier lives.”

Protecting the countryside
The Woodland Trust stated that the money raised from Barclaycard Charity Card holders has helped them to purchase, plant and care for new saplings, create and protect habitats belonging to our precious woodland wildlife, provide woodland discovery events for children across the UK and to maintain access to our woods for everybody to enjoy in peace and safety.

Helping to care for the terminally ill
Emily Goulborn of Marie Curie said “Marie Curie Cancer Care provides high quality nursing, totally free, to give terminally ill people the choice of dying at home supported by their families. The money that has been raised through Barclaycard’s Charity Card means that we can offer this service to even more people. For every £20 we receive from Barclaycard we can cover the cost of one more hour of Marie Curie nursing.”

Confidential help
“The money we have received from Barclaycard has helped Samaritans provide a unique, confidential and emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those that may lead to suicide,” said a spokesperson.

Barclaycard say they are very pleased to be helping so many charities through the use of their credit card.

About Barclaycard

Barclaycard (http://www.barclaycard.co.uk ) is a multi-brand international credit card and consumer lending business; it is one of the leading card businesses in Europe.
In the UK, Barclaycard manages the Barclaycard branded credit cards (http://www.barclaycard.co.uk ) and other non-Barclaycard branded card portfolios including Monument, SkyCard and Solution Personal Finance. In consumer lending, Barclaycard manages both secured and unsecured loan portfolios, through Barclays branded loans, being mostly Barclayloan, and also through the FirstPlus and Clydesdale Financial Services businesses.

Outside the UK, Barclaycard provides credit cards in the United States through Barclaycard US, Germany, Spain, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Scandinavia and across Africa.

Barclaycard Business processes card payments for retailers and issues purchasing and credit cards to business customers.

Key Facts
Number of Barclaycard UK customers 11.2m
Number of retailer relationships 93,000
International cards in issue 4.3m

Contact Details:
Barclaycard Press Office
01604 251229
Virginia Stuart
editorials@barclaycard.co.uk