How one donation from East London reached 15 charities across the UK!
There’s something magical about a donation that travels – especially when it starts in one place and finds its way to the hands of people who truly need it. Across towns, cities, and communities up and down the country.
Project Merchandise is a brilliant East London firm specialising in eco-friendly, branded merchandise. It’s a proud B-corp, a member of the British Promotional Merchandise Association (BPMA) and a supporter of the BPMA’s StepForward Pledge – a fantastic initiative where businesses commit to supporting people, communities and the planet.
Project Merchandise recently chose to make a difference through A Good Thing, and generously donated:
3,087 sturdy, 70-litre branded kit bags
60 stainless steel water bottles with bamboo lids
30 chocolate advent calendars
But the true story lies in where those donations went – and the joy they sparked!
Water bottles bringing joy to young people
The reusable water bottles found their new home at Community Development Chesterfield, where Dan Henman shared, “These would be perfect for us. We run youth provisions in and around Chesterfield so they would be loved!”
Chocolate, smiles, and family moments
Over at Ronald McDonald House Charities, the chocolate advent calendars were a huge hit with the siblings of children in hospital. “They were practically gone already!” said Richard Francis. In a place where families stay for weeks or months, small moments of joy really matter.
Kit bags with impact!
The biggest part of this donation - the kit bags - were distributed to a whopping 13 charities. Here’s where they landed and how they’re making a difference:
Godolphin Cross Community Association: Supporting youth groups, mums and toddlers, and fitness classes.
London Scrap Project Ltd: Helping schools, nurseries, and community groups transport educational resources.
National YMCA: Used in charity shops and facilities for young people across London.
Eritrean Youth Club: Supporting young people on educational trips and competitions.
Response Community Projects Earl’s Court: Provided to users of its community services.
Action West London: Distributed through local soup kitchens and refugee support services.
Chronically Marvellous: Supporting its community of young people with chronic illnesses.
Bexley Deaf Group: Helping its deaf pickleball team travel to tournaments.
Camden Carers Centre: Given to unpaid carers carrying essentials for those they care for. The team even took them on a special residential trip climbing Ingleborough mountain in the Yorkshire Dales!
Street Storage: Supporting people experiencing homelessness by providing secure, strong bags that offer dignity and freedom.
Community Southwark: Shared across 30 local youth and children’s groups for their sports and activity sessions.
St Joseph’s Cottage PTA: Supporting sports clubs in Croydon, especially for children from low-income families.
Crisis UK: Helping people experiencing homelessness carry their belongings safely.
Stories from the ground
At Camden Carers, the donation was a game-changer! Allegra Lynch, the charity’s CEO, said, “This was our first successful application! We used the bags on a Young Adult Carers’ residential in the Yorkshire Dales. The carers often must carry essentials for those they support, so the bags were a huge help—and the experience brought our team even closer together.”
At the Eritrean Youth Club charity, Maria Ghile told us: “The bags are already helping our young people on trips and competitions.”
And at Street Storage, the bags were a source of dignity. Caroline Allouf explained, “Often, people experiencing homelessness are judged for carrying multiple bags. A strong, secure bag helps protect their belongings and restores some freedom and confidence.”
A Good Thing and A Great Impact!
It’s clear that Project Merchandise’s donation didn’t just provide items – it provided moments of ease, joy and dignity across the UK. And that’s what A Good Thing is all about: simple matches with extraordinary impact.
We’re endlessly grateful to Project Merchandise for stepping forward (literally) and choosing to make a difference. If this story has inspired you, why not sign up and join our growing community of businesses and charities creating good together?