Community charity launches new trading arm LOVE Devon
LOVE Devon has been officially launched as the new trading arm of the independent community development charity Devon Communities Together following a successful two-year campaign.
LOVE Devon was set up in 2017 to raise awareness of the work of Devon Communities Together which makes a significant and positive impact on the lives of many people living in the county. From rural and coastal communities to more urban areas, it provides support across a wide variety of areas including delivering affordable housing for people who want to stay in their home villages, supporting local schemes to keep essential services operating, creating local employment opportunities, tackling rural isolation and funding the creation of nature projects.
Through the LOVE Devon campaign it has successfully engaged with people and businesses across the county, encouraging them to become champions for its communities by fundraising, volunteering, and donating.
As the official trading arm LOVE Devon will now be able to commercialise its work and become more entrepreneurial in its approach, thus achieving greater awareness of the charity’s work and gaining further support from across the county.
LOVE Devon’s first-ever chairman, Chris Coward, said: “We have appointed a board of trustees who are all huge supporters of Devon Communities Together and the way it is run by its chief executive officer Elaine Cook and Nora Corkery , who heads up business opportunities here. Through the LOVE Devon trading arm, we will be able to support them, and help them facilitate more projects through our fund raising activities. We will also bring a voice to the invaluable work of Devon Communities Together.”
Chris went on: “Devon is a wonderful place to live but this can often gloss over areas of real need, and we hope that with the passion and commitment of local business leaders, organisations and the people who live here we can work together to make a positive difference in the areas that need it.”
The trustees include some high-profile names with Bill Martin, editor of the Western Morning News, Duncan Currell, former South West Media Group Regional Managing Director, broadcaster David Fitzgerald and senior legal counsel Tony Jaffa on the board.
Elaine Cook commented: “LOVE Devon is all about bringing individuals and organisations in Devon together to raise money for excellent community causes and raising awareness of everything we do.
“We have a special care for those individuals and communities for whom living in Devon can be a challenge - low wages, high cost of housing, loss of local services and a growing older population are some of the challenges we face.
“LOVE Devon is a great way for the general public to get involved with our work and help us do even more.[full stop needed] It is about people like you who are passionate about Devon.”
LOVE Devon is calling on all Devonians, whether they are born and bred here,[comma needed] new to the county or love holidaying here, to put their pounds where their passion is and pledge to support Devon Communities Together.
There are several ways to get involved, such as becoming a Friend of LOVE Devon in return for a regular pledge, supporting a fundraising event and volunteering.
To find our more about LOVE Devon and how you can get involved, visit https://www.devoncommunities.org.uk
